In March 1933, newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt called for a civilian conservation corps devoted to forestry, the prevention of soil erosion, flood control, and similar projects, presenting it as practical work that would prevent financial loss, create future national wealth, and pay dividends to present and future generations. He laid the cornerstone of the Civilian Conservation Corps, one of the key elements of the New Deal, at a time when America was in a deepening crisis after the stock market collapse of 1929, with thousands of businesses failing and millions unemployed. As part of a series of federally funded programs intended to put America back to work and rebuild the national economy, the CCC employed more than three million young men between 1933 and 1942 restoring natural resources and constructing park and recreation areas. In Virginia, the CCC built the first six state parks—Hungry Mother, Douthat, Fairy Stone, Westmoreland, Staunton River, and Seashore—and also built the Swift Creek Recreation Demonstration Area, which was later deeded to the state and became Pocahontas State Park. Many original park structures still show the legacy of CCC workmanship in their stonework, hand-forged hardware, and log and stone picnic shelters.