Saturday, March 5, 2011

Civilian Conservation Corps pt.2

Lately I've been seeing more and more images of the C.C.C. popping up on on various blogs. Rising Sun is even making some dungarees directly inspired by the government issues given to new enrollees. All in all it's great to see more people showcasing the contributions that the C.C.C. gave to this country. I've admired the blend of quality craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal that just seems to radiate from C.C.C. projects ever since I can remember. And as it's turned out I've now got some attachments to the C.C.C. that I wouldn't have imagined when I first marveled at the rough- hewn beauty of their stone and wood work - I work for the National Park Service (the organization that largely oversaw and greatly benefited from the project), and I used to work for the W.C.C. - the Washington Conservation Corps, and recently I found out that my grandfather worked for the C.C.C. as a linesman. So, as a part of the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps you might see some more images of corps members and there projects on here from time to time.

Blue Ridge Parkway, 1938


Blue Ridge Parkway, 1938 (note guy smoking a pipe while setting charges)


Mesa Verde, 1935

Sorry for the small, low resolution images, I haven't figured out how to make things big yet. You can find all of these and more at the NPS Historic Photograph Archive.

2 comments:

  1. Hey Russell I'm an old friend of your folks. My sister wrote her dissertation about the CCC, she talks about them all the time. I have stayed in some cabins they built at various parks, they're all great.

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  2. Hello Charles, thanks for posting. That's cool to hear about your sister, we'll have to chat sometime if she ever makes it out this way.
    I've always admired the CCC "rustic" construction style, but after working for the Washington Conservation Corps, and now the National Park Service, I'm particularly enamored with what the CCC accomplished.

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