Civilian Conservation Corps

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps on March 31, 1933, to provide employment for America’s youth and promote the nation’s economic recovery. The CCC carried out conservation projects on forest, park, and farm lands, creating new recreational opportunities for all Americans. Two million enrollees worked in 975 national, state, county, and municipal areas, including 198 camps in 94 national parks and monuments. Many roads, trails, bridges, and buildings still used today were built by these young men. In less than ten years, they left a lasting legacy for America and the National Park Service. At Lava Beds National Monument, the CCC worked from July 13, 1933, through June 30, 1942. In June 1935, the corps vacated Camp Bearpaw and moved into Camp Lava Beds at the site of Gillems Camp. During nine years there, more than 1,400 enrollees lived and worked in 150-man detachments, each serving for a six month period. They built roads, trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and tables still used today, opened and developed major caves, provided conducted tours, built a residential and administrative complex, a maintenance facility, a gas and oil house, and the fire lookout visible from here, and created architecturally unique facilities that remain in use.

California · United States