Civilian Conservation Corps at Possum Kingdom State Park
Caddo, Palo Pinto County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Civilian Conservation Corps Company 2888 was transferred here from Tyler in May 1941 to develop Possum Kingdom State Park. The CCC enrollees cleared the park area and shoreline, laid a waterline, built campsites and picnic tables, constructed culverts and more than seven miles of Park Road 33. The CCC camp included barracks for 200 men, a library/recreation building, a kitchen/mess hall, shops, a classroom and infirmary. Closed July 13, 1942, with the advent of World War II, this was the last CCC Camp in Texas. The park continues to serve the region. (1996)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In May 1941 the Civilian Conservation Corps' Company 2888 arrived to build Possum Kingdom State Park, clearing land and shoreline, laying waterline, raising campsites and picnic tables, and grading more than seven miles of park road. Their camp held barracks for 200 men plus mess hall, library, shops, classroom, and infirmary. When it closed in July 1942, it was the last CCC camp in Texas—shuttered as the nation turned to World War II.
Why it matters
The CCC was one of the New Deal's most visible legacies, and this last-in-Texas camp marks both the Corps' lasting mark on America's public lands and the moment world war ended the program.
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Related events
- · Civilian Conservation Corps
Themes & tags
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