The CCC at Petit Jean State Park

Company V-1781 was Petit Jean's CCC camp, and the "V" signified that it employed World War I veterans, a relatively uncommon arrangement since only 10 percent of CCC camps in the United States were veteran camps. While most CCC camps consisted of young men between ages 17 and 25, the veteran enrollees on Petit Jean Mountain were mostly ages 35-45, and many were married, had families, and were natives of Arkansas. A chimney at Petit Jean is the most visible remaining structure of the camp and once served both an indoor and outdoor fireplace for the recreation hall, where the men gathered after demanding workdays to play games, write letters, and visit with friends. Company V-1781 spent its days constructing the buildings, trails, and roads still used there today. Their work survives in three National Historic Districts containing over 80 buildings, structures, trails, and bridges listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the accomplishment of 200 men working for a dollar a day.

Arkansas · United States