The CCC was designed to build confidence and a faith in the future through worthwhile work. The men enrolled in the program in Warren County worked in the Allegheny National Forest building roads, planting trees, and building recreational sites.
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a program that President Roosevelt initiated in 1933 to help men who were out of work. It was a time called the “Depression” when many people could not find jobs.
The CCC was designed to build confidence and a faith in the future through worthwhile work. The men enrolled in the program in Warren County worked in the Allegheny National Forest building roads, planting trees, and building recreational sites.
The CCC was offered to unmarried men between the ages of 18 to 25. The original number of men enrolled was 250,000, but was later upped by adding 24,375 older men who lived in or near the forest. These men had to be experience in working in the woods. Each camp was staffed by three Army officers and a medical officer who were in charge of feeding, clothing, and housing.
Each CCC camp had trained foresters, local woodsmen, and other supervisory personnel. Each camp had an average of 200 young, unmarried men who had been out of work for months or years. The Army officers were responsible for camp discipline. A camp superintendent was responsible for the work program developed by the Forest Service.
The men would earn $30 a month with room, meals, and clothing provided. Out of the $30 earned, $25 was sent home to the enrollee’s family and the remaining $5 was spending money.
There was a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Warren County. It was on Bull Hill near Sheffield. There is a marker there to show the location.
The CCC projects completed in Warren County included roads within the forest area and buildings at the Farnsworth Fish Hatchery, the Sheffield Ranger Station, and Heart's Content.
Additional Resources:
Courtesy of the Warren County Historical Society