Syria in Madison County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

National Park Service CCC Camps

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 4, 2008

1. National Park Service CCC Camps Marker

Inscription. Six Civilian Conservation Corps camps in the area which became Shenandoah National Park were at Big Meadows, Skyland, Pinnacles, Piney River, Baldface, and Dundo from 1933 to 1942.

Camp Fechner, near here, was named in honor of Robert Fechner, first Director of the Corps. It was also the third CCC camp in the nation. Enrollees helped with dozens of conservation projects in Shenandoah.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 38° 31.098′ N, 78° 26.159′ W. Marker is in Syria, Virginia, in Madison County. Marker is on Skyline Drive, on the left when traveling south. Located at the Big Meadows/Byrd Visitor Center in Shenandoah National Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Syria VA 22743, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Iron Mike (within shouting distance of this marker); Skyline Drive Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. ¼ mile away); Dark Hollow (approx. 0.3 miles away); Getting to know the air you breathe! (approx. 0.3 miles away);

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Mountain Contrast (approx. 0.4 miles away); Big Meadows Lodge (approx. 0.8 miles away); Milam Gap Trailhead (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Syria.

Also see . . . Civilian Conservation Corps. As the park service page states, Shenandoah probably wouldn't exist in its form today without the work of the CCC. (Submitted on November 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Entrance to the Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadows image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 4, 2008

2. Entrance to the Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadows

Iron Mike Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 4, 2008

3. Iron Mike Statue

In front of the Byrd Visitor Center is this statue honoring those who served in the CCC.

Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 4, 2008

4. Dedication Plaque

Between 1933 and 1942 more than 10,000 young men served in the Civilian Conservation Corps Camps in Shenandoah National Park. These 'boys' created the form and fabric of the new park so that future generations could find recreation and re-creation here. The statue of 'Iron Mike' was given by the Barlow family to honor the CCC and their parents, Russell Thompson Barlow and Louise Painter Barlow.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 4, 2008

5. Big Meadows

The CCC Camp extended across Big Meadows during the most active years of the project.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,461 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.