Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) South Dakota

In 1932 one of every four American men aged 15–24 worked only part-time. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) South Dakota was created to solve two of the nation's ills: unemployment and deteriorating national resources. In South Dakota the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) provided work for 23,709 enrollees and veterans, 4,554 Indians, and 2834 supervisory and office personnel. It distributed $6,200,000 in allotment checks to South Dakota families.^[1]

CCC camps were located across South Dakota but the major concentration was in the Black Hills. Dams, roads, fences, bridges, signage, campgrounds and the list of achievements is a long one. Several of the men that worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps in South Dakota mentioned working at or near Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Some of these men worked for Gutzon Borglum before or after CCC service.

One of the most recognizable CCC projects in South Dakota is the stone structure atop one of the highest elevations from the Rockies to the Alps of Europe. Harney Peak Lookout was built by CCC members of Camp Doran. 7,000 surface stones; 15,000 hollow tiles; 200 T of sand; 32,800 lb of cement; 500 bricks; 500 pieces—reinforced steel, angle iron, etc.; 300 poles, averaging 25 ft in length; 20 kegs of nails; 1,000 ft steel cable; 1,300 lb of steel wire; 800 ft railroad track.

All the bottom level floors were built of reinforced concrete. The outer walls are 30 in thick at the base and lined with hollow tiles. The tower roof was topped with sheet copper and grounded by copper cables. The rock used for outer walls and walkways was obtained from French Creek (HPT).

The dam for the reservoir which built in 1935 (by CCs) impounded 5,000 gal of water. The pumphouse and the steps to the tower were added in 1938.

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