Civilian Conservation Corps

The New Deal and Work Programs

Civilian unemployment rates rose from a little over 3 percent of the civilian work force to over 25 percent from 1929 to 1933. Unemployment was particularly high for young people. President Herbert Hoover’s administration appropriated funds for construction of roads and trails at national parks and monuments. Even with these measures, the downward economic slide could not be stopped.

Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidency over Hoover in 1932, and with it brought his experience developing conservation and emergency relief programs in New York. As part of his ‘New Deal’ program to bring the country out of the Great Depression, Roosevelt was determined to bring opportunity to thousands of young people and give them purposeful work in nature. Some states had already begun programs bringing unemployed people in to do conservation work, but this program brought the concept nationwide.

On March 31, 1933, Roosevelt enacted the Emergency Conservation Work Act to provide relief for those unemployed through opportunities in useful public work. This Act would help create the Emergency Conservation Work (ECW) program. It was later renamed the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1937. Young men between 18 and 25 could enlist in work programs to improve America’s public lands, forests, and parks. Workers reported six days a week and received hot meals and a place to sleep. Housing and food were provided in military style camps. Workers made $30 a month, most of which was sent home to support their families.

Contributions at Black Canyon

Black Canyon of the Gunnison was established as a national monument in 1933 by Herbert Hoover. It had little to no infrastructure at this time. NPS engineer T.W. Secrest traveled from Colorado National Monument to Black Canyon in 1933. Although weather inhibited his travel plans to the north rim, he returned with confirmation that roads, foot trails, and horse trails should be developed on both canyon rims. Scenic viewpoints along the roads would be needed, as well as guard walls for safety and protection.

Although the monument’s establishment and creation of the CCC occurred around the same time, it did not receive the same benefits from the work corps as other national parks in the west. This was likely due to its small land acreage and limited opportunities for development beyond the canyon rim. Initially, small appropriations for road construction were requested due to local interest. In 1935 and 1936, road construction continued as an ECW project. The U.S. Forest Service prepared plans for development to the North Rim, while other money was put towards the South Rim Road and trail improvements to overlooks. Approximately 120 men worked from summer until early winter on road construction.

During the summer of 1936, 40 to 50 men continued work on the South Rim. Some assistance came from the CCC camp at Colorado National Monument. About 25 men were assigned to the North Rim to finish working on the road construction. Funds ran out in late September and work was halted.

In July 1938, the park received notice that Bureau of Reclamation CCC camp (BR-23) out of Montrose was sending a party of workers. They arrived shortly after in August. This crew consisted or 20 enrollees and one foreman. Their task was to improve the South Rim, with general maintenance and trail improvement. They developed the parking area in conjunction with a new trail to Pulpit Rock. A “spike camp,” or temporary camp away from main camp, also went to the North Rim. They helped with road leveling, trail construction, and landscaping.

The scenic roads on the north and south rims of Black Canyon are still used today. Along the North Rim, retaining walls that brace the road are visible. Some structures from the CCC era are visible near the Deadhorse Trail.