Historical Marker

CCC Camp

Historical marker location:
337 Harford Road, Slaterville Springs, New York
( Marker is on Harford Road (County Route 117) 0.8 miles east of Six Hundred Road, on the left when traveling west.)
Marker installed: 2002

  A brief timeline of the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
  • March 31, 1933: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Emergency Conservation Work (ECW) Act into law, establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of his New Deal program.
  • April 5, 1933: The CCC is officially launched, providing employment opportunities for unemployed young men between the ages of 18 and 25.
  • 1933-1942: The CCC enrolls over 2.5 million young men from economically disadvantaged families, providing them with jobs, vocational training, and relief during the Great Depression.

    Camp Life: CCC enrollees live in camps located in rural areas and work on various conservation projects across the United States. They receive food, shelter, clothing, and a small wage, with a portion of their earnings sent back home to support their families.

    Conservation Projects: The CCC undertakes a wide range of conservation projects, including reforestation, erosion control, trail construction, forest fire prevention, wildlife conservation, historic site restoration, and the development of public parks.

    Collaboration with Other Agencies: The CCC works in collaboration with various federal agencies, including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Soil Conservation Service, to implement conservation programs and projects.

    Educational and Vocational Training: In addition to their work, CCC enrollees receive educational and vocational training, such as literacy classes, courses in conservation and forestry, and technical skills development.

    Military Training: During World War II, the CCC shifts its focus to providing military training for its enrollees, preparing them for military service.

  • July 1, 1942: As the United States transitions into wartime efforts and the economy improves, the CCC gradually loses its significance. The program officially ends with the termination of new enrollments.

The Civilian Conservation Corps played a significant role during the Great Depression, providing employment, relief, and skills training to young men while accomplishing vital conservation work across the country. The program's legacy can still be seen today in the numerous parks, forests, and other public lands that were developed or improved through the efforts of CCC enrollees.

Audiobooks about the history of New York.
In the mid-19th century, New York City was the largest slaveholding city in the United States, and the largest slave market was located on Wall Street.
New York random facts
Tompkins County is located in upstate New York and is home to the City of Ithaca, which is its county seat. The region was originally inhabited by the indigenous Cayuga people, and European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century. The area was officially established as Tompkins County in 1817, named after Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins.

During the 19th century, Tompkins County experienced significant growth and development. The construction of the Cayuga and Seneca Canal in the 1820s connected the county to the Erie Canal, bringing increased trade and commerce to the area. The arrival of the railroad in the 1830s further facilitated economic growth and transportation. Agriculture became a major industry, with dairy farming, livestock raising, and fruit growing being prominent. In addition, the establishment of Cornell University in 1865 brought educational and research opportunities to the county.

Tompkins County was also known for its progressive and reformist movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It became a center for the women's suffrage movement, with notable activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matilda Joslyn Gage residing in the area. The county was involved in the underground railroad, helping escaped slaves reach freedom in Canada.

In the latter part of the 20th century, Tompkins County experienced a shift towards a more diverse and knowledge-based economy. With Cornell University and Ithaca College as educational institutions, the county became known as a hub for research, technology, and higher education. Today, it continues to thrive as a center for innovation and progressive values, attracting people from various backgrounds to live and work in the area.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Tompkins County, New York.

  • 1789: Tompkins County is established by the State of New York.
  • 1794: Ithaca becomes the county seat.
  • 1800: Cornell University is founded in Ithaca.
  • 1817: The construction of the Erie Canal begins, bringing economic growth to the region.
  • 1820: Tompkins County's population reaches 6,038.
  • 1845: The village of Enfield is established.
  • 1853: The Tompkins County Public Library is established.
  • 1861-1865: Many Tompkins County residents fight in the American Civil War.
  • 1901: The Taughannock Falls State Park is established.
  • 1942: The Ithaca Gun Company suspends firearm production to focus on producing military ordnance during World War II.
  • 1964: Ithaca is included in the newly created Appalachian Regional Commission.
  • 1970: Ithaca College is established.
  • 1987: The Sciencenter, a hands-on science museum, opens in Ithaca.
  • 1999: The Tompkins County Public Library moves to its current location.
  • 2016: Tompkins County establishes a Reimagining Public Safety Task Force to address community concerns about policing.