The Civilian Conservation Corps workers came from nearby Camp Zigzag, and worked under the supervision of Forest Service rangers.

All of the buildings constructed during that period were designed by the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Regional Architecture Group, and were built in the Cascadian rustic style.

Nineteen of those buildings plus one additional structure (a stone masonry wall built by the Civilian Conservation Corps) are historically important.

Many of the gables and shutters have the open pine tree logo common to Forest Service structures built during the 1930s.

The Civilian Conservation Corps also built a random-course stone walls at the ranger station.

James P. Langdon, the Zigzag District Ranger at the time, donated additional trees and shrubs from his private nursery to complement the rhododendrons, including the rare Dawn Redwood.

The gardens offer an opportunity to enjoy many trees and shrubs native to the Mount Hood National Forest at one location as well as many non-native plant species.

A garden map that show where to find all 50 rhododendron varieties is available at the Zigzag district office.

[6][11] The Zigzag Ranger Station is in eastern Clackamas County, Oregon surrounded by the Mount Hood National Forest.