March 31 designated as CCC Appreciation Day years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
At the state capital on March 19, Governor Kathleen Sebelius made an official proclamation designating Monday, March 31 as CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) Appreciation Day.
In addition, the state senate will pass a resolution at 2:30 p.m. Monday recognizing the CCC. The house also is expected to do something similar.
The day marks the 75th anniversary of the creation of the CCC by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, just one month into his presidency in March 1933. It was known as his "pet" project.
Camps of unemployed young men or war veterans were organized under the direction of the Army and sent throughout the country to erect fire towers, build fire roads, fight fires, and plant trees.
Five hundred camps under the control of the Soil Conservation Service performed erosion control and developed recreational facilities such as national, state, county, and metropolitan parks.
At its height, the CCC employed 500,000 men in 2,600 camps.
As war in Europe loomed on the horizon and the economy began to pick up in 1941, the CCC began to lose its attraction and popularity. Funding for the agency was dropped in 1942.
Marion County Park and Lake
Company 4755 which created Marion County Park and Lake was brought to the site southeast of Marion in February 1936 and remained until February 1939. It was made up of black war veterans.
The veterans were praised by the surrounding communities for their civility, integrity, and work ethic. They took part in recreational activities and community celebrations.
Every year, when the anniversary of the CCC came around, camp workers and their supervisors organized a big celebration. One year, newspapers in Wichita, Newton, Herington, Peabody, Burns, Marion, and Florence welcomed visitors to the event.
A day prior to the event, the Bugle Corps and Color Guard from the camp traveled throughout the county and surrounding areas to invite people to attend the celebration.
On the day of the celebration, a noon meal was served to the hundreds of visitors who arrived at the camp. The Marion High School Band and several camp groups provided musical entertainment, and many speeches were given. More musical entertainment was provided in the evening.
During their three years at the site, the CCC men helped build the dam and also constructed limestone picnic units, toilets, and recreational facilities around the lake.
The park and lake officially opened to the public in May 1940.
Remembering the CCC
After Dwight and Helen Beckham moved to Marion County Park and Lake in the 1990s, they took interest in preserving the history of the lake. They were successful at having it placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A fund-raising effort provided money for a bronzed statue of a CCC worker. It was erected in October 2004 and sets at the intersection of Upland Road and Lakeshore Drive.
In 2007, the Beckhams spearheaded an effort to make the original lake office into a museum commemorating the creation of the park and lake.
The Beckhams were instrumental in instituting the new CCC Appreciation Day in Kansas. They hope to promote the day nationwide.
