CCC Legacy — Preserving the Civilian Conservation Corps
Nurturing the Land They Loved
How three million young men transformed a nation — and themselves
Work That Matters, Work That Lasts
800 state parks, millions of acres restored — the CCC's enduring mark on America
A Legacy Written in Wood and Stone
From the Appalachians to the Pacific — discover what the Corps built
Passing the Legacy Forward
Connecting the stories of the 1930s to the conservation leaders of tomorrow
What a CCC Worker Reminds Us
Dignity, purpose, and service — lessons that resonate across generations
Built to Last — Still Standing Today
Rustic benches, stone bridges, fire towers: the craftsmanship of the Corps
It's All Connected
Conservation, community, and character — the three pillars of the CCC
Born of Crisis,
Built to Last Forever
America was in the grip of the Great Depression when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated in March of 1933. More than twenty-five percent of the population was unemployed, hungry, and without hope — 15.5 million men out of work.
"The single greatest conservation program in American history — it served as a catalyst to develop the very tenets of modern conservation."
Out of economic chaos emerged the Civilian Conservation Corps. Its goal was two-fold: conserving our natural resources and salvaging our young men. Of the three million who served, 250,000 were African American and 80,000 were Native American. Enrollees earned $30 a month — $25 of which had to be sent home to their families. The work of those young Americans dramatically changed the future, and today we still enjoy the legacy of natural resource treasures that dot the American landscape.
The Story Almost
No One Knew — Until Now
Just 22 miles west of Camp Roosevelt on Rt. 675, Camp Wolf Gap was one of the first ten CCC camps in America — and, from 1934 to 1937, an all-African-American camp. At its peak, 215 men of Company 333 transformed the surrounding landscape under Jim Crow-era conditions that placed Black companies in remote federal lands far from the public eye.
Shenandoah County's Board of Supervisors unanimously approved designation of Rt. 675 as the Shenandoah County CCC Memorial Byway. VA DOT subsequently approved the byway designation; efforts remain underway to approve the naming of the byway. The process has brought Wolf Gap's nearly lost African American history into public recognition.
Voices of Wolf Gap
The Men Behind the Work
"He liked it here so much that he stayed. During that time he co-founded Friends of the North Fork — a legacy within a legacy."
Later co-founded Friends of the North Fork
"While enrolled at Wolf Gap, Oswald met and later married Evelyn McAffee of Woodstock. The Coopers raised eight sons and a daughter — a family rooted in the legacy of the Corps."
Family still lives in Shenandoah County today
"Roy Cooper spoke on the importance to his family of bringing this almost lost piece of our African American history into public awareness."
Instrumental in the CCC Memorial Byway designation
What We Do
Programs & Initiatives
Monument CCC Worker Statue
Placing a life-size bronze statue of a CCC worker in every state to honor the Corps' legacy. 78 statues placed to date — communities can commission one for $25,000.
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Memorial Commemorative Paver Wall
A living memorial at the USFS Lee District Office in Edinburg, Virginia — engraved pavers honoring individual CCC enrollees, purchased and dedicated by their families.
Learn more Publication CCC Legacy Journal
Our member publication featuring oral histories, camp research, chapter news, and scholarly articles on the history and lasting impact of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
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Community Annual National Gathering
Each year members, historians, and descendants gather at a historic CCC site to share stories, tour camps, and celebrate the Corps. Documented at locations nationwide from 2013–2018.
Learn more Conservation National Public Lands Day
CCC Legacy participates in America's largest single-day volunteer event for public lands — continuing the Corps' original mission of conservation and stewardship.
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Education Youth Corps & Education
Connecting modern conservation corps programs to the CCC's legacy through educational outreach — bringing the story of service and stewardship to new generations.
Learn moreKey Milestones
The CCC Through the Years
The Corps Is Born
FDR signs the Emergency Conservation Work Act. Camp Roosevelt in Virginia opens as the first CCC camp in America. By July 1 — just three months later — 1,433 camps are operational and 300,000 men are at work across the country.
A Nationwide Corps
The Corps expands to all 48 states. Of its three million enrollees, 250,000 are African American — many of them placed in segregated companies in remote federal lands under Jim Crow. Camp Wolf Gap in Shenandoah County, VA transitions to an all-African-American camp (Company 333, 1934–1937).
Half a Million Strong
Over 500,000 men are enrolled across 2,900 camps nationwide. They plant trees, build trails and roads, fight fires, and develop the infrastructure of the state and national park systems that Americans still enjoy today.
Wolf Gap Closes
Camp Wolf Gap closes after its all-African-American run. Company 333 moves to Wilderness in Fredericksburg, VA, beautifying the Civil War battlefield. A year later they transfer to Cabin John, MD — restoring over 24 miles of C&O Canal towpath along the historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.
The Legacy Endures
Congress dissolves the CCC as the nation turns to World War II. The 800 state parks, millions of forested acres, and thousands of structures the Corps built remain with us today — a legacy written into the American landscape.
CCC Memorial Byway Designated
Shenandoah County's Board of Supervisors unanimously approves designation of Rt. 675 as the Shenandoah County CCC Memorial Byway. VA DOT subsequently approves the byway designation, and efforts remain underway to approve the naming of the byway. The process has brought much-needed attention to Camp Wolf Gap and its African American CCC history.
Explore the Map
CCC Camp Lists by State
The CCC operated in 48 states. Select a state below to browse a detailed list of every camp that served there — including location, dates of operation, and enrolled companies.
I called a friend at the Virginia Department of Forestry and asked what he knew about Wolf Gap. His response: "Best kept secret in Shenandoah County." That answer is what started everything.
Latest from CCC Legacy
News & Stories
Shenandoah County Approves CCC Memorial Byway Designation for Rt. 675
In a unanimous vote, the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors approved designation of Rt. 675 as the Shenandoah County CCC Memorial Byway. VA DOT has since approved the byway designation, and efforts are still underway to approve the naming. The process has brought much-needed attention to Camp Wolf Gap — an all-African-American CCC camp from 1934 to 1937 whose history was nearly lost entirely. Roy Cooper, son of Wolf Gap enrollee Oswald Bentley Cooper, spoke at the meeting about the importance of this piece of African American history.
Read more CCC Interpretive Museum Open at USFS Headquarters, Edinburg, VA
Learn more 2025 CCC Legacy Scholarship Applications Are Open
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