Moundville in Hale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The CCC and Moundville
Moundville Archaeological Park
Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 19, 2020
1. The CCC and Moundville Marker
Inscription.
The CCC and Moundville. . 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 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."
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 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."
Location. 33° 0.376′ N, 87° 38.104′ W. Marker is in Moundville, Alabama, in Hale County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of
Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 19, 2020
2. The CCC and Moundville Marker at the Jones Archaeological Museum.
3. An exhibit located in the Jones Archaeological Museum.
Photographed 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 801 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 21, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
