Brimfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Civilian Conservation Corps (1933-1941)
Administration and logistics were the responsibility of the U.S. Army, while work projects were directed by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. Locally experienced men (LEMs) were hired to serve as foremen and liaisons with the community.
At its peak in Massachusetts, the CCC had a total of 51 camps that enrolled 10,000 men. The first year was spent setting up campsites and providing access to forest areas. In the years that followed, the men had five primary tasks: forest management, fire hazard reduction, pest control, wildlife enhancement and recreational development. In addition to work experience, a wide variety of educational opportunities were offered, ranging from academic coursework to crafts and culinary arts.
The programs not only touched the lives of these Pine Cone Johnnies, but also left a lasting legacy of forest improvements and recreational resources throughout the state. These included roads, bridges, ponds, picnic areas and campgrounds, wells, hiking, riding, and skiing trails, log cabins and bathhouses. Sixty years later, many of the facilities built by the CCC, including one in the vicinity of this sign, are still in use.
This sign was erected in 1998 as part of the Centennial celebration of Massachusetts State Forests and Parks.
Erected 1998 by Massachusetts State Forests and Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list.
Location. 42° 6.031′ N, 72° 16.233′ W. Marker is in Brimfield, Massachusetts, in Hampden County. Marker can be reached from Dean Pond Road. The marker is in the Dean Pond Recreation Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brimfield MA 01010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Steerage Rock (approx. 3.9 miles away); Indian Hill (approx. 3.9 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 3.9 miles away); Hitchcock Free Academy (approx. 4 miles away); Hitchcock Free Academy Great War Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Gen. Henry Knox Trail (approx. 5.7 miles away); Washington Park (approx. 5.8 miles away); George Washington Memorial Highway (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brimfield.
Also see . . . Civilian Conservation Corps. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 15, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.