Near Zavalla in Angelina County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Camp Nancy
Photographed by Steve Gustafson, October 25, 2010
1. Camp Nancy Marker
Inscription.
Camp Nancy began as one of the many logging camps established in the piney woods of East Texas during the early 20th century. The camp was first created in Nacogdoches County, but was moved to the Angelina County community of Dunkin ca. 1918. Once the camp was relocated, the Angelina County Lumber Company constructed offices, a commissary, a school and tenant homes and boxcar homes for workers and their families. In 1922, the MacMillan Naval Stores Company contracted to harvest pine resin from the forests surrounding Nancy, and a turpentine operation was established.
While most logging camps were short-lived enterprises, Camp Nancy existed for approximately 16 years. The camp's longevity can in part be credited to the technological advances developed and implemented at the site. The Angelina County Lumber Company took advantage of the openness of the woods to replace ox and mule teams with four-line rehaul skidders. The efficiency of the skidders hastened the logging process, as well as the exploitation of the Southeast Texas forest. The company then implemented the first large-scale direct seeding effort in Texas designed to reforest cutover land, planting 100 pounds of longleaf pine seed in 1925.
The camp's logging operations were moved to Tyler County in 1933. The following year, the Civilian Conservation Corps established a work camp at the site and continued reforestation efforts. In 1936, the site became part of Angelina National Forest, and once the CCC camp closed, the site was virtually abandoned.
Camp Nancy began as one of the many logging camps established in the piney woods of East Texas during the early 20th century. The camp was first created in Nacogdoches County, but was moved to the Angelina County community of Dunkin ca. 1918. Once the camp was relocated, the Angelina County Lumber Company constructed offices, a commissary, a school and tenant homes and boxcar homes for workers and their families. In 1922, the MacMillan Naval Stores Company contracted to harvest pine resin from the forests surrounding Nancy, and a turpentine operation was established.
While most logging camps were short-lived enterprises, Camp Nancy existed for approximately 16 years. The camp's longevity can in part be credited to the technological advances developed and implemented at the site. The Angelina County Lumber Company took advantage of the openness of the woods to replace ox and mule teams with four-line rehaul skidders. The efficiency of the skidders hastened the logging process, as well as the exploitation of the Southeast Texas forest. The company then implemented the first large-scale direct seeding effort in Texas designed to reforest cutover land, planting 100 pounds of longleaf pine seed in 1925.
The camp's logging operations were moved to Tyler County in 1933. The following year, the Civilian Conservation Corps established
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a work camp at the site and continued reforestation efforts. In 1936, the site became part of Angelina National Forest, and once the CCC camp closed, the site was virtually abandoned.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16536.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.
Location. 31° 6.344′ N, 94° 25.849′ W. Marker is near Zavalla, Texas, in Angelina County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 69 and Massey Road, on the right when traveling south on State Highway 69. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Zavalla TX 75980, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. 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 Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,907 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
