Chena River State Recreation Area started as a small hot spring destination for the residents of nearby Fairbanks. The first visitors to Chena Hot Springs claimed that it had healing powers, spurring numerous additional visitors in search of better health. The U.S. Army built a small road into the area, which soon grew as a logging and mining resource in the early 20th century. Following statehood, Alaska set aside just over 15,000 acres for protection as a state recreation area. Oil was discovered in the region only one year later, and the Chena River faced a risk of massive oil development. Residents lobbied for further protections of the area, and in 1975, the original 15,000 acres grew to over 250,000 acres.