Welcome to the CCC Legacy

Commemorative Wall Dedication

Second phase of installation dedicated on September 15, 2013
As part of the 80th Anniversary events, CCC Legacy dedicated the second phase of the CCC Commemorative Wall.  Due to popular interest after the 75th Anniversary in 2008, others also wanted an opportunity to honor CCC service with their name on the wall.
 CCC Legacy Commemorative Wall and CCC Worker Statue stand as a monument to the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).  This memorial reminds us of the millions of CCC men who toiled between the years of 1933-1942 to improve the management of our nation’s natural resources and build the infrastructure of the modern outdoor recreation system.  Their accomplishments are unequaled and are a testament to the hard work pride and determination to overcome the social and economic strife thrust upon them by the Great Depression.
As you visit this special commemorative spot please reflect for a moment.
  • Remember Their Contributions:  Nationally we remember and honor all alumni.  Regionally we remember CCC Boy who served in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.  Locally we bring awareness to two CCC Camps in Shenandoah County, VA:  Camp Roosevelt, Co. 322, NF-1, America’s first camp, and Camp Wolf Gap, Co. 333, NF-1.
  • Pause and Reflect:  As you visit the memorial, please contemplate the countless contributions given to our nation by America’s youth and reflect on their achievements which we all enjoy today.  America would be a very different place without the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
  • Honor Their Service:  This CCC Worker State is the 44th in a series of statues that dot the American landscape.  Each statue represents a prominent place in CCC heritage.  Engraved granite pavers bear the names of individuals and agencies who helped to support the construction of this monument.   
Commemorative Wall honors the CCC:   The CCC Commemorative Wall in Edinburg, VA was established to honor the men of the CCC and their work during the Great Depression and still stands as a reminder of the need to care for public land.  Construction was made possible through donations of CCC Legacy members, chapters, family and friends.
Location:  (Directions and map)
The Commemorative Wall can be visited at the USDA FS Lee District Office, 102 Koontz Street, Edinburg, VA.  This location is the future home of the CCC Interpretive Center.  Although there is still much to do, much has already been accomplished.  CCC Legacy P.O. Box 341 Edinburg, VA  22824 540-984-8735.  Email [email protected] for more information. 

Commemorative Wall Facts

The Commemorative Wall is a circular design.  The CCC Worker Statue is located inside the circle and looks across the plaza area at the names on the wall.  From the plaza area visitors view the Massanutten Mountain which is the location of Camp Roosevelt.

There are a total of 176 pavers in the wall.

  • 128 CCC Boys recognized
  • 12 Other CCC Personnel
  • 11 CCC Advocates
  • 7 CCC Chapters / Group Recognition
  • 8 Pavers that contain the words to the song “America, America”
  • 7 Organizations who are recognized in the plaza:
  • CCC Legacy
  • Civilian Conservation Corps
  • US Forest Service
  • Virginia Department of Forestry
  • Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
  • Town of Edinburg
  • VFW Post #2447
  • Shenandoah County Government
  • 3 Pavers to recognize contractors who constructed the plaza.

Among the pavers, two recognize CCC enrollees killed in WWII.

 

Commemorative Granite Bench:

The bench was donated by the David Dellinger family of Woodstock, VA to honor all Scouts who serve on Public land.  Matt Dellinger, Eagle Scout, renewed Camp Roosevelt in 2008 as his eagle Scout project. 

 

Interpretive Sign:
The sign tells visitors the story of the CCC Worker Statue and share the significance of the monument and its part in the national CCC interpretive effort.

 

Funding:
Fundraising took place throughout the years of 2000 – 2013.  Many t-shirts, books, cups and other merchandise were sold to help with the purchase of the statue.  The majority of funding was secured through donations from pavers and from a Shenandoah County VA donation in the amount of $10,000.  An informal estimate of the current value of the plaza area is $92,950.  (This total is subject to the year end audit by the accountant.) 

 

CCC Legacy Plaza

 
Preparing for the 80th Anniversary event, the Commemorative Wall and CCC Worker Statue are located on the George Washington National Forest Lee District Rangers Station.  The commemorative area is commonly referred to as the CCC Plaza.  The plaza is co-located with the CCC Interpretive Center now under construction and the CCC Legacy office.  

Program Background:  The concept of the commemorative paver wall and statue was first discussed in 1999.  The intention was to recognize CCC Alumni and advocates. The proceeds of their donations were applied to the purchase of the CCC Worker Statue and the granite paver in the wall would recognize the names of donors.

The wall was constructed in two phases:  Phase one:  On May 17, 2008, as part of the 75th anniversary celebration the first group of pavers were installed into the semicircular wall along with the statue.  Phase two:  Due to popular requests, the second phase was begun and another 100 donors came forward to have their names recognized in the wall.  During he 80th Anniversary celebration on September 15, 2013, these additional pavers were installed.  This completed the wall.  Because of the circular design of the wall, there is no more room for expansion.   

Stone Mason Rebuilds the Memorial Wall – Honors the CCC

Watching stonemason, David Stanley of Edinburg, VA,  construct the CCC Legacy Commemorative Wall, makes the visitor think about all the CCC Boys across America who learned the craft of masonry. As he precisely measured, moved, and placed the polished granite pavers, he created a monument that will stand to honor the men of the CCC for many years.
David’s work on the monument has a very special meaning.  His work also honors family member and CCC alumnus Rowand “Hambone” Stanley who served at Camp Roosevelt.  Hambone, who joined the CCC in 1936, got his nickname at Camp Roosevelt which stuck with him until his death.  After serving in the CCC, he stayed in the area and married a local girl.

 

In 1986, Rowand Stanley was among the CCC alumni that began the effort to preserve Camp Roosevelt and release it from the tangled overgrowth of the George Washington National Forest.  With the help of the local Congressman, John O. Marsh, the alumni advocated for the establishment of the Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area and built a pavilion so they had a place to hold camp reunions.  Today thousands of visitors still use it as they enjoy the National Forest and visit the remains of the former camp site.

“Hambone” and Rev. Carl Corwin of Front Royal, VA, were the Camp Roosevelt alumni who supported the establishment of CCC Legacy.  We wonder what they would be thinking now as the Commemorative Wall is being dedicated and the exhibits for the CCC Interpretive Center are being constructed.