Rib Mountain in Marathon County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Roosevelt's Tree Army
Photographed by McGhiever, October 30, 2022
1. Roosevelt's Tree Army Marker
During our nation's Great Depression, three million young men across the country enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This all-volunteer corps was instituted in 1939 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" legislation. Known popularly as "Roosevelt's Tree Army," the CCC helped shape America through conservation, preservation, and development of natural resources. It served as a public work relief program for unemployed men, providing training and jobs for young men who could not find them elsewhere.
[Stairs] Photo by Maureen Fitzgerald
[Shelter] Photo by Wisconsin Historical Society
CCC mess hall at Camp Pine River, Three Lakes, WI.
Photo by Spencer & Wyckoff, Detroit
Life in a CCC camp is a much different kind of life than most boys have known. An enrollee, as a CCC man is called, does not have his own private room. There is no one to pamper him with tempting dishes when his appetite is off. He lives with 200 other men of his own age, in barracks. They work, play and eat together.
It offers many opportunities for self improvement, physically, mentally and vocationally. Theymay well be proud to belong to such an organization.
Click or scan to see
this page online
CCC Enrollees Handbook, 1940
Camp Rib Mountain
In August 1935, the 3649th CCC camp was erected on the west bank of the Wisconsin River in the Town of Rib Mountain. The enrollees created walking paths, developed a campground, widened the roadway, and built a picnic area with gazebo in Rib Mountain State Park. They also began work on clearing the ski slopes and installing the T-bar lift. As you tour the park, look for the gazebo, stone retaining walls, and stone drinking fountain built by the hard-working CCC boys.
Photo by Wisconsin Historical Society
Fire and Water
How did CCC crews remove large boulders during their trail work on Rib Mountain? Without the use of dynamite or potentially damaging heavy equipment, they first cleared the rocks using crowbars or block and tackle. Crews then employed a primitive process of heating the rocks for several hours or days followed by throwing gallons of cold water on them. This caused the rocks to crack and shatter, making them easier to remove.
3649th Company, Wausau, WI circa 1937
Erected by the Wisconsin Department of
Photographed by McGhiever, October 30, 2022
2. Roosevelt's Tree Army Marker (2nd panel from left) in Rib Mountain State Park
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 44° 55.254′ N, 89° 41.66′ W. Marker is in Rib Mountain, Wisconsin, in Marathon County. It is on State Park Road, on the right when traveling south. The marker is near the summit of Rib Mountain, between the observation tower and the loop at the end of the park road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wausau WI 54401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, 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: Skiing Rib Mountain (here, next to this marker); To Charles E. Parker (within shouting distance of this marker); Ancient Ripples (within shouting distance of this marker); Rib Mountain State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Monadnocks (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Rib Mountain State Park (about 500 feet away); Mountain View (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Pineries (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rib Mountain.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rib Mountain State Park (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on September 29, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. submitted on September 4, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
