[3] On May 27, 1933, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp S-136-Pa was established at Cherry Springs and built many of the park facilities.

[6] CCC Camp S-88-Pa, based at nearby Lyman Run in Potter County,[7] also built some facilities in the park.

The camp was named for state forester Harry Elliott, and was established to provide work for college students and other unemployed men.

In 1935 they built the airport, originally called "Cherry Springs Intermediate Field", just north of the park.

[2] In 1948 the airport was managed by Alfred L. Sallade and offered 80 octane fuel, flight training, sales, and taxi service.

[12] On September 2, 1952, Sallade was arrested for shooting and killing Charles P. Van Pelt, and seriously wounding Erwin Bergdoll, both aged 19.

Both victims were from socially prominent families, and were walking in the park near the airport office on September 1 when Sallade shot them with a shotgun.

[3] The DCNR acquired the Cherry Springs Airport in 2006 "to expand the overall Dark Sky observation area and allow for increased programming opportunities" at the park,[22] and it closed in 2007.