In a little over seven weeks we will be honoring our veterans. Before that happens, I would like to honor another kind of veteran - those men of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 as part of the New Deal, the CCC was a work relief program for young men 18-25 whose families were unemployed as a result of the Great Depression. Roosevelt was the former chairman of the Forest, Fish and Game Commission in the state legislature and as Governor had extensive knowledge of conservation practice and issues. By March, 1933 the jobless in the country was at an all time high of 14 million people. The CCC program gained great popularity among the general public and operated in every U.S. state and several territories.
The Corps accomplished numerous conservation projects, prevented soil erosion, practiced flood control, constructed many buildings and trails, installed telephone and power lines, learned pest control, made breeding grounds for ducks, improved streams and lakes, constructed logging and fire roads, built fences, planted trees (nearly 3 billion), learned bee-keeping, did archeological excavation and even manufactured furniture. The CCC worked extensively on flood control during the 1937 floods in Vermont and New York and the 1938 hurricane that hit New England.
CCC enrollees worked 40 hours a week and were paid $30 a month with the requirement that $25 of that be sent home to their families. They lived in camps in a wooden, barracks-style building, wore provided uniforms (two sets were given) and operated under quasi-military style. Nearly 70 percent were malnourished and poorly clothed when they entered and they had little high school education or job experience.
The U.S. Army operated the camps and held no military training or drills, but did follow a strict, daily routine. Reveille was at 6 a.m. followed by a half hour to dress. They did 15 minutes of exercises followed by a hearty breakfast. Most recruits immediately gained weight. After breakfast they cleaned their barracks. They worked from 8 a.m. to noon when they had lunch, usually sandwiches, pie and coffee unless they were lucky to get to the mess hall and have a hot meal. They then continued to work until 4 p.m. and then returned to camp. Their evening was free after a supper of fresh vegetables, fruit, bread and dessert. The food was very simple, but served in large quantities. The men could read and take classes, play baseball, basketball, football, swim, fish, throw horseshoes or get in the boxing ring. Bedtime was at 9:45 p.m. with lights out at 10 p.m., taps blown 15 minutes later, and the camp commander usually did a bed check after that.
Religious programs were held on Sunday and an Army chaplain was also on hand. “Happy Days” was the official newspaper of the CCC and many camps had their own newsletter.
Donald Isaac Coleman from the town of Victory was enrolled in the CCC at Howland's Island in 1935 at the age of 18. Army Major Richard S. Dodson was the commander at the camp. The Coleman's lived a mile east of Victory village and were farmers. During this difficult time for farm families, the extra money earned by sons in the CCC kept them from ruin.
Rose and James Coleman, Donald's parents, took these pictures of their son and his friends probably during a field day or open house that many of the camps organized. The men there built 14 ponds covering 350 acres, cleared downed trees and brush, planted trees and shrubbery and prevented soil erosion. The boys could go home on the weekends, but many families had no means of transportation.
There were 250,000 men in the CCC at first opening in 1933, but by April 1935 there were more than 600,000. By 1936, New York state had a total of 121 CCC camps including 47 in state forests and 32 in state parks.
Famous actor, Walter Matthau, served in the CCC in 1939-40. He broke his right thumb in the line of duty and gained 50 pounds during that year.
By as early as 1936 Roosevelt tried to reduce the enrollment as part of an economy move to reduce the budget, but the public vigorously opposed. The last extension passed by Congress was in 1939. When war was declared in December 1941, most CCC work was shifted to military bases to help with construction, and Congress voted to cut off funding completely after June 1942. Many CCC camps were modified and held prisoners of war in the 1940s. The final farewell at Howland's Island came in November 1941 when many men joined the military, others were discharged, and the installation reverted to the Army.
The four CCC camps in Cayuga County were at Howland's Island, Fillmore Glen State Park, Fair Haven Beach State Park and in the town of Sempronius. In August 2001 ceremonies were held at the four sites and markers were dedicated honoring the work of the men of the CCC. Thanks to the men from Cayuga County AmeriCorps who helped prepare the site at Howland's Island for the marker.
As children of Victory, we all spent a lot of time at Fair Haven Beach State Park. My family would head down to Fair Haven several times a week and weekends late in the afternoon when the “city” people were headed home. We could swim and have a picnic and still be home before bedtime. We took Red Cross swimming lessons there in the channel with its beautiful stonework made by the CCC for the diving boards, spent time camping and picnicking at the rustic log cabins built by the CCC and enjoyed cooking our meals over the stone fireplaces crafted by the CCC. We have enjoyed this lasting legacy for nearly 75 years now. Thanks to all the men for their hard work and conservation practices and thanks to those who continue the CCC legacy through other conservation programs in Cayuga County.
If you/your father/your grandfather were from the town of Victory or neighboring towns and would like to tell me about your work experience in the CCC, call me at 730-3183 so we may document your story.
Looking ahead, please mark on your calendar, our Veteran's Day services will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Victory Firehouse. The public and all veterans are welcome to attend.
Beverly Sayles grew up in the town of Victory and writes about its history.
The Corps accomplished numerous conservation projects, prevented soil erosion, practiced flood control, constructed many buildings and trails, installed telephone and power lines, learned pest control, made breeding grounds for ducks, improved streams and lakes, constructed logging and fire roads, built fences, planted trees (nearly 3 billion), learned bee-keeping, did archeological excavation and even manufactured furniture. The CCC worked extensively on flood control during the 1937 floods in Vermont and New York and the 1938 hurricane that hit New England.
CCC enrollees worked 40 hours a week and were paid $30 a month with the requirement that $25 of that be sent home to their families. They lived in camps in a wooden, barracks-style building, wore provided uniforms (two sets were given) and operated under quasi-military style. Nearly 70 percent were malnourished and poorly clothed when they entered and they had little high school education or job experience.
The U.S. Army operated the camps and held no military training or drills, but did follow a strict, daily routine. Reveille was at 6 a.m. followed by a half hour to dress. They did 15 minutes of exercises followed by a hearty breakfast. Most recruits immediately gained weight. After breakfast they cleaned their barracks. They worked from 8 a.m. to noon when they had lunch, usually sandwiches, pie and coffee unless they were lucky to get to the mess hall and have a hot meal. They then continued to work until 4 p.m. and then returned to camp. Their evening was free after a supper of fresh vegetables, fruit, bread and dessert. The food was very simple, but served in large quantities. The men could read and take classes, play baseball, basketball, football, swim, fish, throw horseshoes or get in the boxing ring. Bedtime was at 9:45 p.m. with lights out at 10 p.m., taps blown 15 minutes later, and the camp commander usually did a bed check after that.
Religious programs were held on Sunday and an Army chaplain was also on hand. “Happy Days” was the official newspaper of the CCC and many camps had their own newsletter.
Donald Isaac Coleman from the town of Victory was enrolled in the CCC at Howland's Island in 1935 at the age of 18. Army Major Richard S. Dodson was the commander at the camp. The Coleman's lived a mile east of Victory village and were farmers. During this difficult time for farm families, the extra money earned by sons in the CCC kept them from ruin.
Rose and James Coleman, Donald's parents, took these pictures of their son and his friends probably during a field day or open house that many of the camps organized. The men there built 14 ponds covering 350 acres, cleared downed trees and brush, planted trees and shrubbery and prevented soil erosion. The boys could go home on the weekends, but many families had no means of transportation.
There were 250,000 men in the CCC at first opening in 1933, but by April 1935 there were more than 600,000. By 1936, New York state had a total of 121 CCC camps including 47 in state forests and 32 in state parks.
Famous actor, Walter Matthau, served in the CCC in 1939-40. He broke his right thumb in the line of duty and gained 50 pounds during that year.
By as early as 1936 Roosevelt tried to reduce the enrollment as part of an economy move to reduce the budget, but the public vigorously opposed. The last extension passed by Congress was in 1939. When war was declared in December 1941, most CCC work was shifted to military bases to help with construction, and Congress voted to cut off funding completely after June 1942. Many CCC camps were modified and held prisoners of war in the 1940s. The final farewell at Howland's Island came in November 1941 when many men joined the military, others were discharged, and the installation reverted to the Army.
The four CCC camps in Cayuga County were at Howland's Island, Fillmore Glen State Park, Fair Haven Beach State Park and in the town of Sempronius. In August 2001 ceremonies were held at the four sites and markers were dedicated honoring the work of the men of the CCC. Thanks to the men from Cayuga County AmeriCorps who helped prepare the site at Howland's Island for the marker.
As children of Victory, we all spent a lot of time at Fair Haven Beach State Park. My family would head down to Fair Haven several times a week and weekends late in the afternoon when the “city” people were headed home. We could swim and have a picnic and still be home before bedtime. We took Red Cross swimming lessons there in the channel with its beautiful stonework made by the CCC for the diving boards, spent time camping and picnicking at the rustic log cabins built by the CCC and enjoyed cooking our meals over the stone fireplaces crafted by the CCC. We have enjoyed this lasting legacy for nearly 75 years now. Thanks to all the men for their hard work and conservation practices and thanks to those who continue the CCC legacy through other conservation programs in Cayuga County.
If you/your father/your grandfather were from the town of Victory or neighboring towns and would like to tell me about your work experience in the CCC, call me at 730-3183 so we may document your story.
Looking ahead, please mark on your calendar, our Veteran's Day services will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Victory Firehouse. The public and all veterans are welcome to attend.
Beverly Sayles grew up in the town of Victory and writes about its history.
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