Accomplishments of African Americans in the CCC (1933-1942): Selected Examples

“All project work is devoted toward one main goal, the conservation of the American forest, and since the inception of the camp, this company has made an enviable record toward this goal.”

“Located in the heart of East Texas’ timber section, the camp devoted much of its time to fighting fires, building roads and bridges…Many men from Company 838 received very beneficial training… and a number have secured outside employment in other branches of the Forestry Service and elsewhere as a direct result of camp training.”

“The relationship between the camp and surrounding communities has always been pleasant. The camp baseball team, basketball, and track teams have participated in sports with most of these communities and proved ambassadors of goodwill in promoting better relationship.”

“A distinctive feature of the Company is the quartet and other groups of singers. These singers are best in presentations of Negro spirituals and folk songs. They have appeared a number of times at local communities and recently made their debut over a neighboring radio station.”

“Recreation… has been important in the lives of the enrollees… There are innumerable games, dances, recreational trips, educational and feature length movies…”

“Enrollees of this Company were complimented by the District Commanding Officer for the help they rendered in the flood disaster this year.”

“The company had excellent equipment for fighting forest fires and were engaged a number of times in fierce combat with forest fires, which were always subdued in short time.”

“This camp was the first established in Kentucky and was opened on May 22, 1933. It has been given general recognition for its contributions toward the present excellent condition of Mammoth Cave National Park.”
—Courier-Journal

“The Bark Shanty Road, leading from state highway 872 into camp, is nearing completion. The road, at one time a wagon trail, is being made a state road.”

“Among the most recent advantages given camp enrollees is the attractive reading room. Enrollees manifest their pride in the aid to self-improvement by keeping the room orderly and inviting.”

“At present, the Camp is under the command of First Lieut. C.M. Burdette. During the short period of time in which [he] has been in command there have been several improvements and advantages offered in the line of recreation and education… a very necessary and worthwhile drive has also been launched for an improved health standard among members of the Company.”

“The CCC planted mahogany trees throughout the Virgin Islands, including on Queen Mary Highway”
—Virgin Islands Daily News

“In the recent flood crisis along the Cumberland and Mississippi Rivers, the enrollees of this Company labored valiantly… Enrollee William Snow waded the icy water of the Cumberland up to his arm pits to remove an aged lady from her home. Jesse Allen, another enrollee, braved the water and ice almost up to his neck to save an aged blind man.”

“Manifesting a high degree of interest in the welfare of the company, Lieut. [Alfred T.] Brown installed symphonolas [similar to jukeboxes] and introduced other phases of activity never before enjoyed [by the enrollees]. The baseball team received new uniforms and shoes… the morale of the company was high throughout this administration…”

“On August 1, 1935, a cadre of 12 men was sent from Lufkin, Texas, to begin the steps of making Company 2878 (C) [“Camp Broaddus”] a matured and progressive member of the CCC, the greatest institution of its kind for natural and human rehabilitation.”

“[D]uring the flood of 1937, which swept through Northeast Arkansas…This company…cooked for and fed over 6,000 refugees [flood victims]… they waded through large bodies of water and saved hundreds of lives…The educational department of Company 4734 established two reading rooms in the refugee camp, which added much to the welfare of many children as well as adults.”

“The first colored Educational Adviser in Texas, Preston Valien, was assigned to Company 2890 (C) on October 1, 1935, and under his direction the camp educational program grew rapidly and efficiently.”

“The relationships of the camp and the community have been cordial. Amateur shows have been given in Emporium and the camp orchestra has been engaged to play at several clubs and civic organizations gaining quite a following in the community.”

“For a decade the CCC actively restored the park’s landscape, and much of the innovative work accomplished during the 1930s was done so only because of their involvement” (HAER)

“Members of the Radio Class erected a radio building, complete in every detail, which housed the radio equipment and provided and operator’s office as well as classroom for the radio and aviation groups. Leader Ernest Paxton and Enrollee Henry Fuller passed their examinations for Amateur Radio Operator licenses.”

“Company 2425, Camp Young, had its beginning at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, June 27, 1933. Sixty World War veterans made up the chartered membership. On July 15, 1933, these sixty men moved west to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee.”