Moundville in Hale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The CCC and Moundville

— Moundville Archaeological Park —

By Mark Hilton, January 19, 2020

1. The CCC and Moundville Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Civilian Conservation Corps was born during the turmoil of the Great Depression. Hundreds of thousands of young men were out of work, and wasteful exploitation of the environment had devoured millions of acres across America. In 1933, as part of his "New Deal“ program, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps in an effort to save these "two wasted resources, the young men and the land.

The Civilian Conservation Corps' contributions to Moundville were immense. They helped archaeologists excavate over 45,000 square feet of the site, unearthing more than 1,000 whole ceramic vessels. They cleaned, cleared and restored the badly deteriorated mounds. The CCC also brought erosion under control at the site, contouring the landscape and building dams to check the runoff of water and soil.

The Civilian Conservation Corps' most visible accomplishment at Moundville was the Jones Archaeological Museum. Hand-cast of reinforced concrete, the museum took over 6,000 man-days of labor and over two years to complete. Construction began in February of 1937, and the museum was dedicated on May 16, 1939. Regarding

The CCC and Moundville Marker at the Jones Archaeological Museum. image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, January 19, 2020

2. The CCC and Moundville Marker at the Jones Archaeological Museum.

the Civilian Conservation Corps, Walter B. Jones, for whose family the museum is now named, declared, "It is to their everlasting credit that there is no better concrete job anywhere."

Erected by the University of Alabama.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) 🏞️ series list.

Location. 33° 0.376′ N, 87° 38.104′ W. Marker is in Moundville, Alabama, in Hale County. Marker can be reached from River Bank Road, on the right when traveling south. Located in front of the Jones Archaeological Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: River Bank Road, Moundville AL 35474, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Perspective of Power (within shouting distance of this marker); Mound Arrangement (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Protection and the Palisade (approx. ¼ mile away); Politics and Power (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Politics and Power (approx. ¼ mile away); Mound B (approx. ¼ mile away); Earthlodge (approx. ¼ mile away); Moundville Archaeological Park (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moundville.

Also see . . .

An exhibit located in the Jones Archaeological Museum. image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, January 19, 2020

3. An exhibit located in the Jones Archaeological Museum.

The Jones Archaeological Museum on Moundville Archaeological Park website. (Submitted on January 21, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The Rulers of Moundville exhibit located in the Jones Archaeological Museum. image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, January 19, 2020

4. The Rulers of Moundville exhibit located in the Jones Archaeological Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 21, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.