Archives West Finding Aid

The Civilian Conservation Corps (1933-1942) was established by presidential order. The United States was suffering from the worst economic depression in its history and the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration had been elected on a platform of federal action. Calling his plan the "New Deal," Roosevelt began creating several federal agencies to employ the millions of Americans who were unemployed. A crying need was seen in soil and forestry conservation. Wasteful practices in the Midwest had allowed layers of topsoil to blow off during the drought which gripped America in the 1930s. One of the major jobs given to the CCC was to prevent further soil erosion. In addition to erosion prevention, the CCC worked on constructing bridges, making trails, establishing campsites, fighting forest fires, clearing roads, and erecting buildings. The CCC was a selective organization as only men between the ages of sixteen to twenty-five could be employed, and only if they were unmarried or had families who were on relief. Utah was a particular target for Federal aid as the average state wage was eighty percent of the national average and over thirty-five percent of the state workforce was unemployed. Over the nine years the CCC operated, 116 camps were established throughout Utah and the CCC spent $52 million in Utah alone. Over 22,000 Utah locals were employed by the CCC while the other 23,000 plus CCC workers in Utah were from other states. The Vernal, Utah, CCC camp was established in 1935 and administered by the Fifth Army Corps at Fort Douglas. The camp's main fouces was on stopping soil erosion while conserving water resources. The Vernal camp also cleared roads during the rough winter of 1936-1937 when county equipment failed. Other deeds included hauling feed to starving livestock and rescuing a family that had not had a fire for 36 hours. The CCC camps boosted the local economy as those employed received $30 per month- $25 went to their families at home while the remainder was for their personal use. When the CCC closed down in 1942, it was considered one of the most successful New Deal agencies. It also helped train a large group of young men in useful skills which would later help the war effort in the Second World War.