Near Albany in Shackelford County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort Griffin

Photographed by Duane Hall, February 12, 2017

1. Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort Griffin Marker

Inscription. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) operated nationwide between 1933 and 1942 to conserve natural resources and to provide work for young men during the Great Depression. The Federal program provided employment for 2.5 million young men working out of 3,000 camps. Roughly 50,000 Texans were enrolled in the CCC and made a significant contribution to the development of the state’s park system. The colorful frontier history of Fort Griffin and the need for its preservation prompted citizens of Shackelford County to donate the historic site to the state. The National Park Service approved a new CCC camp at Fort Griffin State Park in 1939. Crews from existing camps in Cleburne and Lockhart arrived in 1939 and 1940. In the spring of 1940, as original company members were discharged, local area men signed up and were assigned to Fort Griffin. Many of these men enrolled in classes at the camp and local high school, and participated in local sports and activities.

Around 200 men completed a stone pavilion, park roads, 24 table and bench combinations, 14 camp fire places, two latrines, surveys of the park, a water drainage system and entrance gate, and planted trees and shrubs on hundreds of acres. Although some local groups hoped that the focus would be on the restoration of historical features, most of the work completed at the time was on recreational amenities. The rock gate, roads, fort ruins and pavilion remain at the site. The camp was abandoned on Dec. 1, 1941. Many of the young men went straight into military service and WWII. In the 1940s, many buildings used by the CCC were moved to military camps or schools throughout Texas.

175 Years of Texas Independence ★ 1836 - 2011

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16822.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 32° 55.341′ N, 99° 13.962′ W. Marker is near Albany, Texas, in Shackelford County. It can be reached from the intersection of U.S. 283 and Park Road 58. Marker is located in Fort Griffin State Historic Site. The above directions are to the entrance to the historic site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albany TX 76430, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Griffin (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bakery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Administration Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Russell Young Gilbert (approx. half a mile

Photographed by Duane Hall, February 12, 2017

2. Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort Griffin Marker

away); Frontier Town of Fort Griffin (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Western Cattle Trail Crossings at Fort Griffin (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fort Griffin Civil Jail (approx. ¾ mile away); Fort Griffin Lodge Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.

Also see . . . Official Website of Fort Griffin State Historic Site. (Submitted on February 26, 2017.)

Original Rock Gate Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, February 12, 2017

3. Original Rock Gate Entrance

Entrance to Fort Griffin SHS from US Route 283

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2017, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 479 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 26, 2017, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.