Quarry Township in Grafton in Jersey County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The CCC
Over the years, about 165,000 individuals were employed in at least 50 Illinois Civilian Conservation Corps camps in Illinois. Many of these worked on projects in Illinois' state parks.
One of the most successful programs to aid Americans during the Great Depression was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps. The program provided training and employment to more than 3 million young men during its nine years of existence, from 1933 to 1942.
Enrollees were sent to camps in every state and territory of the U.S. to work on conservation projects, fight fires, assist during emergencies, and build roads, bridges, and buildings. Illinois was one of the first states to utilize the CCC.
The men built shelters and buildings, constructed roads and 1,192 miles of trails, planted 60 million trees, built nearly 400 bridges, and performed a variety of other park improvement and maintenance activities.
Each enrollee was paid $30 a month. Of that amount, the enrollee received $5, and $25 was sent home to his family. In addition, the young men received three full meals a day, lodging, clothes, footwear, inoculations and other medical and dental care, and, at their option, vocational, academic, or recreational instruction.
Captions: Nationwide the CCC planted about 2.5 billion trees, gaining it the nickname of Roosevelt’s tree army.
For most enrollees, camp life didn’t end with the completion of their CCC service. They either enlisted or were drafted into the military when the U.S. entered World War II.
A typical camp had 4 to 6 barracks, a mess hall, recreation hall, infirmary, officer’s quarters, garages, latrine, and shower building.
Many CCC projects can still be seen in Illinois’ state parks. Map of CCC projects
Erected by Illinois State Museum and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location. 38° 58.742′ N, 90° 32.537′ W. Marker is in Grafton, Illinois, in Jersey County. It is in Quarry Township. Marker can be reached from Scenic Drive near Illinois Route 100. Marker is located off a hiking trail near the McAdams Peak overlook. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13766 IL-100, Grafton IL 62037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. McAdams Peak (within shouting distance of this marker); Elijah Lovejoy (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Piasa Bird (approx. half a mile away); Illiniwek (approx. half a mile away); Pere Jacques Marquette (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named The CCC (approx. half a mile away); Brussels Ferry (approx. 2.6 miles away); Wittmond Hotel (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grafton.
More about this marker. A duplicate marker is located in front of Pere Marquette Lodge.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 3, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.