Historical Potpourri: Civilian Conservation Corps ending

March is the anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). At this time people make time to appreciate the nation’s CCC heritage and preserve it for generations to come.

The CCC employed thousands of men, part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal. In the nation, across New Mexico and Lincoln County the CCC left its mark. 

In an effort to put Americans back to work during the Great Depression, the CCC enrolled thousands of young men to perform a variety of conservation and forest projects. With the United States’ entry into World War II, the CCC was discontinued.

A television broadcast this month reported that it is the end of an era for members of an FDR program who for decades got together to remember the old times. This month, in Albuquerque, the New Mexico chapter of the CCC alumni group held its last meeting.

In the 1970s when the CCC boys reached retirement age, chapters were created across the country for alumni, who met to reminisce. Groups are dwindling as members pass away. A 102-year-old and a 96-year-old are the last living CCC boys in the New Mexico chapter. This month was their last meeting.

The recent television broadcast added that the New Mexico chapter was the last with CCC boys as actual members. At one point, there were more than 170 chapters nationwide. 

In Carrizozo, N.M. there are two individuals, Wayland Hill and Margo Lindsay, who keep the memory alive of their fathers when they were in the CCC. Their fathers served with the CCC here in Carrizozo. Only building foundations and fireplace ruins exist at the location a short distance beyond the Family Dollar on U.S. Highway 54. The CCC location is gated and now private property.

My research revealed a copy of the official 1936 Civilian Conservation Corps annual of the Albuquerque District 8th corps area. The roster of Company 3808 DG-40-N in Carrizozo, disclosed the names of W. Hill, Grand Saline, Tex and J. C. Duncan, Winnsboro, Texas. Construction of this Carrizozo camp was started July 11, 1935.

These two Texans married Carrizozo girls. James Clinton Duncan (1910 – 1991) married Anna Belle Hoffman and Wayland Hill (1914 - 2003) married Vernon Ruth Beckham.

After their CCC service these two men worked and raised families in Carrizozo. Hill at one time was employed as a civilian guard with the Border Patrol at Fort Stanton, N.M. Lincoln County’s history includes the time the U.S. Border Patrol organized the internment camp for German seamen near Fort Stanton Merchant Marine Hospital during World War II.