THURSDAY. MAY 9. 1940
ILLINOIS VALLEY NEWS
PAGE 3
SOUTHERN LADS ACCUSTOM SELVES TO CCC LIFE IN WEST
For the most part the lads enrolled at Camp Oregon Caves are from North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee; although they found manners of
life quite different from that which they experienced in their native states they quickly adjusted themselves to the ways of the West.. This group pic­
ture was taken on March 6th, 1940, just prior to the departure of many of the enrollees who were transferred to camps in the East or were discharged
upon completion of their enlisted time and were to return to their homes.
Three C Men Accomplish Much
In Way of Public Improvements
The CCC companies stationed suc­
cessively at the Caves! camp have
done a good deal of construction and
improvement work not only in the
Oregon Caves National Monument
but throughout this section. Work
done in the Caves and resort area in­
cluded a 70-foot tunnel in the caves,
drainage and lighting systems for the
area, water supply system, improve­
ment of trails in the monument and
of walks and ladders in the caves, de­
velopment of two large parking areas
construction of ranger’s cabin and
the development of recreational fa­
cilities. Another major project was
the construction of a pow’erline from
near Holland to the Caves with a
branch line to the camp. A telephone
line was also built from Cave Junc­
tion to the camp with a branch to
Holland.
Much work has been done by the
three C’s in the development of Gray-
back Forest Camp located eight miles
below the Caves. Here the CCC men
have constructed a rustic foot bridge.
They have installed a water system,
fireplaces, picnic tables and other
camping facilities. Trails and park­
ing places have been developed, add­
ing greatly to the value and conven­
ience of the camp.
Road work has included the con­
struction of three and a half miles
of the French Peak road toward Bol­
an Lake and the clearing of two
miles of right-of-way on the truck
trail to Williams Creek.
In addition to erecting the educa­
tional building, wood shop and gar­
age for the camp, members of the
company moved and remodeled the
residence of the forest guard nearby.
The production of signs for National
Parks and Monuments and the man­
ufacture of furniture have been
among the important projects carried
out in the woodworking shop.
Always an attractive place,, the
camp itself was recently improved
by the refinishing of several build­
ings, the installation of new furni­
ture in the recreation hall and libray,
and the landscaping of the grounds.
An athletic field is well equipped
for sports and contests while facil­
ities for indoor games are found in
the recreation hall. Motion picture
shows are provided one night a week
while educational and recreational
activities are scheduled on other ev­
enings.
Members of the present company
are practically all residents of Georg­
ia, North Carolina, Alabama and Ten­
nessee. Although they have found
their situation here considerably dif­
ferent from home, they generally ad­
just themselves quickly and learn to
enjoy the many pleasant features of
life in the West.