The collection of documents provides a multifaceted look into the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) operations and life in West Virginia, primarily around Pocahontas County, during 1935 and 1936. The materials include official-sounding reports, newspaper clippings offering glimpses into daily camp life and individual stories, and metadata for articles about specific camps.
A detailed report highlights Congressman Andrew Edmiston's visit to Camp Seebert in Watoga State Park. The Congressman observed the significant positive impact of the CCC, exemplified by a young man who found new self-confidence and ambition.
Key achievements noted were the construction of twenty-seven miles of mountain roads, a forty-foot dam creating an artificial lake for recreation, and the building of thirty out of fifty planned log cabins for public use. The camp was established on 11,000 acres of state-purchased land, transforming it into an attractive state park.
The broader value and activities of the CCC were also emphasized, with projects chosen for their social and economic benefits. These activities included ongoing fire station maintenance and reforestation efforts, alongside initiatives for the improvement of forests and parks, reduction of forest fire damage, control of insect pests and tree diseases, prevention of soil erosion, development of public recreational spaces, flood control, and wildlife conservation.
Enrollees received vocational training in a wide array of skills such as stone masonry, surveying, forestry, road construction, electrical work, agriculture, auto mechanics, carpentry, cooking, and drafting, which was seen as providing them with a "new lease on life" under President Roosevelt's programs.
Specific details regarding Camp Black Mountain indicate it was formally dedicated on October 18, 1935. The camp, where CCC Company 2589 was stationed, was established through a collaboration between the Department of War and the Department of Agriculture. Construction began on August 13, and by its dedication, thirteen of the fifteen proposed buildings were complete.
Situated near the Williams River, ten miles west of Edray in Pocahontas County, the camp was at an altitude of 3,100 feet, with the nearby Black Mountain reaching 4,500 feet. It was accessible via a CCC-constructed road and located near the modern U.S. Fish Hatchery.
The camp housed 230 young men engaged in road and trail building, installing telephone lines, fire protection, and reforestation. The camp's buildings were painted forest green, contrasting with their red fire equipment. The development of the new Richwood-Marlinton highway was expected to provide scenic views, especially a section near Mill Point that involved cutting through solid rock cliffs.
Another document describes improvements at a park, likely Camp Price, including the creation of footpaths and the restoration of old breastworks. Enrollees planted thousands of trees like spruce, hemlock, white pine, and walnut. A new lookout house overlooking the Greenbrier Valley was nearing completion.
The well-built roads allowed access to all points of interest. This work was supervised by Superintendent Kelley and Foresters Bruce Conrad, L. A. Remage, Joe McMillion, Charles Hanrahn, Arthur Sharp, Joe White, Harry Gum, P. H. Wilfong, and M. L. Lilly. Camp Price and its park were always open for public visits.
The "Diary of Company 2598," dated July 31, 1936, by C. Ballard, chronicles the company's move from Camp Sencea (Seneca) on March 15, 1935, first to Camp Rhododendron, and then to Camp Price, arriving on April 29, 1935. The diary lists many original enrollees who made this transition, including Educational Advisor E.C. Workman.
Early efforts at Camp Price focused on camp construction, with new enrollees arriving from various counties. The mess hall was completed by September 1st, and the entire camp was built from scratch within months.
A side camp at Wamshow was completed by October 5th, the same day some enrollees attended the Forest Festival in Elkins. The educational offerings at the camp expanded to include typing and first aid classes.
The diary further recounts significant events at Camp Price. An amateur night was held on October 25th. The 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Droop Mountain was observed on November 6th with many visitors. The first "Talkie-Movie" was shown on November 8th.
A Christmas play on December 19th drew 200 guests, and presents were given to local Native American children. The holidays were marked by a severe blizzard, with three feet of snow and deep drifts, which temporarily halted work. On January 12th, 55 enrollees were transferred to Black Canyon Camp in Idaho.
Newspaper clippings from the "Cannon Ball," dated August 14, 1936, provide more insights. An article, "CANNON BALL TOPS," celebrated the camp newspaper of Camp Seneca as one of the oldest CCC papers in the U.S., having started in October 1932 and never missing an issue. "MR. WORKMAN ON VACATION" detailed the leave of Educational Advisor Workman of Camp Seneca. "LIFE SAVING CARDS ARRIVE" informed enrollees that Red Cross Life Saving cards were available.
The "WHO'S WHO" section of the newspaper profiled Glen "Greasy" Williams of Camp Seneca, a cook praised for his culinary skills and guitar playing. Originally from Troy, W. Va., he joined the CCC in 1933. The "FIRST AID WINS" column reported on Paul Campbell's transfer to the Fort Hayes station hospital.
It also listed several accidents, including one involving a cross-cut saw that injured Ike Doolan, another where a man named Williams cut his foot with an ax, and an incident where "Bourbon" Dean bruised a muscle.
Numerous boys were reporting to the dispensary with rashes, speculatively linked to excessive tomato consumption or scabies ("the itch"). Julius Reeves had returned from the hospital, while James Nestor might require another operation.
A human-interest story from the "MAGAZINE SECTION" of the "CANNON BALL," dated July 31, 1936, titled "MY QUEST FOR LOVE, A TRUE STORY BY AN ENROLLEE," narrated an enrollee's romantic misfortunes and his ongoing hope of finding love while in the CCC.
He recounted past relationships and expressed his current search for a girl from Marlinton or nearby areas, stating he would go to school if his quest failed. The page also featured a word puzzle with misspelled words for readers to identify.
Finally, submission forms for articles by Reba F. Yeager provide metadata for her work. One piece, "Camp Black Water News Item" (350 words), offered a comprehensive overview of Camp Black Mountain, including its location, access, description, and details about the CCC boys.
Another, "Camp Price" (525 words), was a feature statement covering its location, early history, accomplishments such as the construction of cabins, roads, and telephone lines, wood cutting, tree planting, and personnel information. Both indicated that the sources for the information were provided within the articles.
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