We never know what we’re going to find when we head out for a daytrip or longer time on the road. Our last day trip was no different. We expected the covered bridges, and even the country cemeteries and churches were no real surprise. What was a surprise was what greeted us as we pulled into the offices of Versailles State Park in Versailles, Indiana.
He has his axe and is ready for work
Very handsome bronze statue
This statue represents and honors the men who worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps that operated from 1933 to 1942. President Roosevelt started the program to provide not only conservation projects but also to provide jobs during the Great Depression years. A CCC workforce performed many forestry and conservation projects at Versailles State Park.
The plaque on the statue base
There are actually over 75 of these statues around the country in various locations that utilized CCC work forces. We strongly recommend the CCC Legacy website. It has the fascinating and frankly complex story of the CCC and it’s good and bad times. It is worth your time to take a look if you like history.
Roadtirement 
Great reminder. A friend’s father, a history teacher named Harley Jolley wrote a great book on the CCC. Here is a link:
Here in NC, we come across some of the CCC camps that housed the workers. Many have been repurposed, but some still remain. FDR got this right when he established the CCC.
Keith
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Thanks for the link, Keith. Fascinating that some of the camps still survive. There were nearly 3000 of them across the country. We are planning to see if any exist at Versailles state park.
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The CCC and WPA were interesting projects. A lot of great photos came out of the WPA. The levees along the Rio Grande were build between 1936 and 1942 as part of the Rio Grande Canalization project. I can’t say if it was part of the CCC or WPA. The Canalization was for flood control and providing equitable water distribution between the USA and Mexico.
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Fascinating to study the CCC and WPA projects. We had several WPA projects (stone fencing, spring developments, etc.) on farm ground we used to own and operate.
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The work on the Rio Grande was done by the Army Corps of Engineers, but they used New Deal funds such as the National Industrial Recovery Act, PWA, WPA, and partnering with CCC. It could have been either or both agencies. They also hired relief workers.
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Thanks, Suzassippi. People are surrised by how wimpy the Rio Grande is these days. But back before the flood control, the Rio would wipe out towns like San Marcial when it flooded.
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Nice post! I love finding these surprise discoveries. Though I generally seek them out to document them, I have located some just by accident and it always makes me happy to see the work.
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Thank you for that!
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Very interesting that there are 75 of these statues around the country. We have never seen one, so thank you for educating us!
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There is a list of where they are in the link I put in the post. Interesting also is the list of those states without a statue!
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What a wonderful statue! My father was at a CCC camp in northern Wisconsin. He planted trees!! At the time, the forests had been depleted by logging. Nice to see that people still remember these young guys!
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Thanks for the nice sharing of your dad’s story. You might find some interesting info on the website of the CCC legacy, in the post.
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The CCC built a bridge in Tempe, AZ. During a 100-year flood, in the 70s, every bridge in the Valley was wiped out, including the freeways except that one. It was the only way across the Salt River. The following year was another 100-year flood when it stood again though a few others also managed to hold to their moorings.
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Thanks for sharing. They did know how to build ’em back then…
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I did not know of the CCC. What a great idea.
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Thanks, Anne. The link is pretty neat, worth a look.
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I clicked on the website. Very interesting. As a Canadian I did not know anything about this work.i don’t think we had something like this in the depression.
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I too was surprised to find that “legacy” website. I had no idea there was such an organization. Glad you enjoyed it.
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I didn’t know there were statues. That’s so awesome. There are some places around here that the CCC built that I love going to. I love this post. Thank you for the link. I hadn’t heard of that website.
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The statues were new to us as well. Were acquainted with the CCC and WPA projects, by the Legacy website has wonderful details! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Those statues will hopefully see a new CCC, if Project Do Better has anything to do with it.
All hands needed.
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