There are not many men still alive who served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) created in 1933 under President Franklin Roosevelt following the Great Depression. One of these is Robert Winston, President of the newly formed NACCCA North Carolina Chapter 175, the first to be organized in the Tar Heel State.
The program was aimed at the worst aspects of youth joblessness. In 1930, one million young men were unable to find work. The worst year was 1933 one-third of the unemployed were under age twenty-five.
The young men were paid $30 per month, $25 of which was sent home to their families. They were allowed to keep $5, a princely sum during the Great Depression. The men were furnished food, clothing, shelter and medical care. The CCC also provided the young men with a chance to further their education.
Another survivor is James Johnson, who served in CCC in the State of Washington and in North Carolina near Mt. Airy and Elkin.
Most natives of Avery County had relatives who served with the CCC. The closest camp from Linville is the Mortimer camp.
The Board of Directors: Robert L. Winston, Paul Eddie Rash and Stacy R. Davis were duly elected by the membership.
The following officers were appointed by the Board of Directors: President, Robert L Winston, Vice President, Paul Eddie Rash (Western Area); Secretary, Betty Olsen; and Treasurer, Gene Smith. The Central, Eastern and Coastal areas will be appointed later.
The first meeting of the NACCCA North Carolina Chapter 175 was held at Camp Yonahnoka, Linville, October 7, 2001 at 11:30 AM. The entertainment was furnished by JIM and JENNIES BLUEGRASS BAND from Jim and Jennie’s Music Barn. Both Jim and Jennie Vance had brothers who served with the CCC.
On display from Mountain Gateway Museum was “Hard Times Happy Days” describing the Civilian Conservation Corps era.
Lunch was provided by the Pat Ray Post VFW Ladies Auxiliary and members.
Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine, NC, has agreed to host the archives of the North Carolina Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni in its Learning Resources Center.
The College is also hosting the organization’s Web site (www.cccnorthcarolina.org), and is providing organizational assistance for the chapter as it gets started.
The North Carolina Chapter will be working with Mayland Community College in video taping individuals who worked in CCC Camps, historic locations built by the CCC and other historic, important places. Once these videos have been obtained, college personnel want to make them available via video streaming over Internet links.
Paul Rash, Dean of Newland Campus of Mayland Community College stated, “It is important that we document the people who worked for the CCC and what they contributed to the state of North Carolina. Not many of these individuals are still alive, and we should and must create some video documentation of the accomplishments of the CCC and its members during the hard times in which they lived.” Paul Rash stated, “Without the efforts of Robert Winston, this state organization would not have been formed. He has made substantial contributions of money and time to ensure the success of this organization.”
For more information on the October 7 meeting, or about the Chapter itself, please contact us.
