The Civilian Conservation Corps at Abilene State Park
Tuscola, Taylor County, Texas
Marker Inscription
President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the U.S. Congress created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933 to provide jobs on public lands for unemployed workers, specifically young men and World War I veterans. Quick to recognize the benefits of this program, the City of Abilene donated land in 1933 for the CCC's use in building a state park near Lake Abilene. Company No. 1823, one of the companies comprised entirely of World War I veterans, was assigned to the Taylor County site. Using the design of Abilene architect David Castle, the men constructed a refectory in addition to roads, picnic areas and a swimming pool with native sandstone as the primary building material. Abilene mayor C.L. Johnson declared it "a beautiful spot of great recreational benefit" at the opening ceremony on May 10, 1934, during which State Parks Board chairman D. E. Colp formally dedicated the new state park. In 1935 a reactivated CCC Company No. 1823, comprised of African American veterans, returned to Abilene State Park for additional work. They built culverts, a water tower and latrines, and undertook some road and stonework repairs before moving on to Kerrville. The work of the Civilian Conservation Corps is still visible at Abilene State Park, one of more than 50 public parks in Texas that benefited from labor and craftsmanship of the men of the CCC. (2001)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress created the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933 to put jobless men and World War I veterans to work, Abilene donated land for a new state park near Lake Abilene. Company No. 1823, made up entirely of World War I veterans, built a stone refectory, roads, picnic areas, and a swimming pool from native sandstone, dedicating the park in May 1934. In 1935 a reactivated Company No. 1823 of African American veterans returned to add culverts, a water tower, and stonework before moving on to Kerrville, leaving craftsmanship still visible in the park today.
Why it matters
Abilene State Park preserves the labor of the New Deal's Civilian Conservation Corps, including a segregated company of African American veterans, in one of more than fifty Texas parks shaped by the program.
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Related people
- · Franklin D. Roosevelt
- · David Castle
Related events
- · Great Depression
- · New Deal
- · Civilian Conservation Corps
Themes & tags
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