Porter in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
"Works of a Public Nature"
The Civilian Conservation Corps in Indiana
Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 8, 2024
1. "Works of a Public Nature" Marker
Following the 1929 stock market crash, almost 18 million people became unemployed. Two million became homeless. Newly elected Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented emergency measures, among them the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
"the President is authorized to provide for employing citizens of the United States who are unemployed, in the construction, maintenance and carrying on of works of a public nature "
Legislation creating the Civilian Conservation Corps Signed March 31, 1933
Building Our Parks and Reservoirs
The CCC was instrumental in furthering Indiana's fledgling state parks, reservoirs and forests. At the time, many properties were without basic infrastructure. Much of the land that became state property was severely eroded and treeless. The CCC built erosion controls, planted trees, and built roads and water systems.
Building Our Memories
The CCC constructed our most memorable structures. The shelter houses for our family reunions the overlooks where we contemplate the trails to that special place we visit year after year. We still enjoy the hard work and craftsmanship of young men of
this page online
[Captions:]
The CCC provided employment, income and job training to unemployed men, aged 18 to 23. They were paid $30 monthly, $25 of which was sent directly to their needy families.
Almost 64,000 Hoosiers were assigned to CCC camps throughout the state. Enrollees received training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Food and supplies were distributed from Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis.
Map of Indiana - State Parks and Reservoirs with CCC Works
Erected by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1933.
Location. 41° 39.421′ N, 87° 2.903′ W. Marker is in Porter, Indiana, in Porter County. It can be reached from Trail 8 0.4 miles south of Trail 10, on the right when traveling south. Marker is at the Wilson Shelter of the Indiana Dunes State Park at the east
Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 8, 2024
2. Marker by the Wilson Shelter
Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana, specifically on the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan Shore, and in the Calumet Region. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dunes Nature Preserve (within shouting distance of this marker); The Prairie Club Fountain (approx. 0.2 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps Flagpole (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mt. Tom: A View of Ancient Shorelines (approx. 0.6 miles away); Indiana State Parks: the First 100 Years 1916-2016 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Le Petit Fort (approx. Ύ mile away); Daylighting: Getting Dunes Creek Out of the Pipe (approx. Ύ mile away); The Wreck of the J.D. Marshall
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 24, 2025
3. Wilson Shelter
The only CCC building remaining in Indiana Dunes State Park
Another marker is no longer nearby. The J.D. Marshall (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. Indiana Dunes State Park Wilson Shelter Chesterton IN. Living New Deal's entry on Wilson Shelter, the CCC building next to this marker.
The Wilson Shelter is located at the Indiana Dunes State Park. The shelter was completed by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) laborers in 1935. The style of the shelter is classified as Parks Rustic.(Submitted on March 10, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
2. Wilson Shelter. Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)'s entry on Wilson Shelter.
Appears to be the only remaining building on park property constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). A sizable group camp and trestle bridges were among the other buildings and structures constructed by the CCC, none of which remain. The site of the CCC Camp itself has been obliterated by a parking lot serving the Nature Center. *The building is significant(Submitted on March 10, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)because it was built by the CCC workers and is representative of recreational facilities of the 1930's.Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 24, 20254. CCC FlagpolePlaque and flagpole of the former CCC camp. The flagpole is at the state park's Nature Center, whose parking lot was the CCC camp. It is 0.2 miles away from the "Works of a Public Nature" marker.
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 24, 2025
5. CCC Flagpole Plaque
∽1935~
C.C.C.-Co.-1563
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 24, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
