The five structures were commissioned by the Michigan Department of Conservation, during the Mission 66 era. A master plan for the park had been approved in 1955, but it was not until 1964 that the state approached Birkerts to design the facilities. In keeping with Mission 66 design guidelines, Birkerts designed the structures to require little maintenance, and with unusually shaped roofs and textured concrete walls. Construction on the buildings began in 1964 and was completed in 1969. These facilities were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
