— On April 5, 1933, through an executive order, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). A part of the New Deal legislation, this public voluntary work relief program aimed at providing jobs to unemployed and unmarried men ages 18–25. The age group was eventually expanded to include men ages 17–28. During the Great Depression, this program was instrumental in providing relief to families that were experiencing difficulties in finding work.
The achievements generated by CCC were numerous. The program lasted 9 years and employed 3 million young men. The program benefits included shelter, clothing, food, and wages. At the time of its inception, wages were $30 a month (roughly equivalent to $607 in 2021 dollars). Out of the $30 received, those young men had to send back home from $22 to $25 to assist their families.
One of the most notable accomplishments of the CCC can be found in our national and state parks. Besides fighting forest fires, planting trees, and maintaining access roads, CCC built wildlife refuges, shelters, cabins, and more. Whenever possible, any new construction would attempt to use local materials, thus making the new constructions blend in naturally with the environment.
The photo at the beginning of this article is the lookout one finds at the top of Skyline Drive at Davis Mountains SP. That and the photo below are good examples of CCC workmanship. Although it is more common to see photos such as the one below (from inside the lookout structure), I wanted to show the lookout from the outside as well (photo above). More examples of the CCC legacy in Texas state parks can be seen below.
Here are three photos from Bastrop SP. The first shot shows what was left of the CCC lookout at that park after the devastating fires of September 2011. This photo on the right was taken just 3 months after the fires, when park authorities allowed visitors to the park again.
You can click on the photo to see it in full size. The other two photos shown are the same lookout after it was restored. This scenic overlook was designed by architect Arthur Fehr in the 1930. The 2011 fires destroyed everything except the stone columns and base floor.
All the CCC constructions in Bastrop SP were saved from the fires. Except for the two overlooks in the park, no cabins were damaged by the fires of September 2011.
One more example of a CCC building is shown on the left. It is found at Buescher SP. This outdoor picnic shelter was job number 119 and was built in 1936. It required 1,500 man-days and cost a total of $646 dollars, or $12,223 in 2021 dollars. Again, click on photo to see it in full size.
As we celebrate CCC and its impact in conservation and employment opportunities, it is also undeniable CCC’s importance to the beauty of our parks and public lands.
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