Edisto Island in Colleton County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The CCC: Building Parks for America
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 26, 2026
1. The CCC: Building Parks for America Marker
Strengthen America by employing citizens to improve local infrastructure. That concept inspired President Franklin Roosevelt's Depression-era economic recovery program, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
In its nine years, this effort gave jobs to three million men nationwide. They planted trees - more than 56 million in South Carolina alone - constructed roads, battled forest fires and created parks.
With no state parks, many South Carolinians had no opportunity for recreation in nature. Beginning with Cheraw State park in 1934, the CCC developed 16 South Carolina parks, including this one. CCC companies began work in 1935, and Edisto Beach State Park opened to the public in June 1937.
[Caption]: CCC Fourth Corps Area, District I, annual Yearbook, 1938
The CCC was racially segregated by company. Pictured above is the African American Company 5418, whose members began the initial work on Edisto Beach State Park in May 1935. Pictured to the right are members of the all-white Company 4480 who replaced them later in the summer.
One of the many projects CCC Company 4480 completed was the bathhouse before
this page online
[Caption]: SCPRT Photograph
[Caption]: CCC Fourth Corps Area, District I, annual Yearbook, 1938
The CCC provided many opportunities for young men to further their education and training as well as recreation. Company 4480, while stationed at Edisto Beach held 15 classes at the elementary and high school levels and also received training in woodworking, photography, landscaping, blueprint and map reading, surveying, plumbing, motor mechanics and blacksmithing. Many CCC enrollees used this training in military service during World War II. Recreational options for enrollees included "stunt night" programs, a camp newspaper, a leaders' club and a baseball team.
Erected by South Carolina State Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 26, 2026
2. The CCC: Building Parks for America Marker
Location. 32° 30.296′ N, 80° 17.684′ W. Marker is on Edisto Island, South Carolina, in Colleton County. It can be reached from South Carolina Route 174, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at Edisto Beach State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edisto Island SC 29438, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry, in the Ashepoo and Combahee and Edisto Basin. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, 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 original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 26, 2026
3. The CCC: Building Parks for America Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
