Fort Necessity
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fort Necessity
National Battlefield
Civilian Conservation Corps 75th Anniversary
On March 31st, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered “An Act for the relief of unemployment through the
performance of useful public work, and for other purposes…” This Act helped to create the Emergency Conservation
Work (ECW) program, later renamed the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC began as part of Roosevelt’s
‘New Deal’ and ran until 1942.
It was an organization created to give young men (mostly between 18 and 25 years old) a chance for income and
productive work when jobs were scarce. Men involved in the camps enlisted for 6 month intervals and were able to
serve up to 2 years. The pay rate was $30.00 per month. $25.00 of the pay was sent home to families and dependents of
the enlisted men. This would be approximately equivalent to $375-400 today
CCC Living at
Fort Necessity
In the spring of 1935, the first CCC camp set up at
Fort Necessity consisted of about seventy men from
the Uniontown area. The camp lasted for 2 ½ years
and eventually turned 850 boys into men. Of this
number, 250 boys were from the south. The first
group of enrollees was issued surplus Army tents for
their camp. They remained quartered in these tents
until wooden barracks were built before winter.
The tents could hold up to 32 cots.
When completed, the permanent camp was ‘U’shaped with a flag in the center. It consisted of
seven barracks, a mess hall, Army officers’ quarters,
civilian supervisors’ quarters, food storage building,
a pump house, a blacksmith shop and a garage.
Recreation and education were a priority. Both
played a very important part in the life of an
enrollee.
A library was started. Dances were scheduled and a
newspaper was published. Education was voluntary
but was offered to all whom were interested. The
discipline learned here helped to prepare the men
for military life in WWII. They also learned a trade
in which they could use the rest of their lives.
Park Improvements
Before the National Park Service administered Fort
Necessity, previous owners had timbered all of the
property. There was a time when you could look
down onto the battlefield from Route 40. No trees
would impede your view.
One major job the CCC did was to reforest the park.
They planted pine and other evergreen trees
throughout the property. Unfortunately, there were
no pine trees at Fort Necessity in 1754 and these
pine plantations created a confusing historic view
shed to the visitor.
Even though the pines are not historically correct,
on hot summer days, it is always refreshing to stand
under the shade of the pine plantations.
Roads and Bridges
The CCC was also responsible for building roads
and bridges to allow the visitor to drive to the Fort
and picnic area. As you drive around the park look
for the beautiful hand cut stone work on the bridges
and culverts
Picnic Area
The picnic area also showcases CCC work at Fort
Necessity. They were responsible for building the
picnic pavilions and the fireplaces. The fireplaces
are now considered historic and we are no longer
permitted to use them.
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
A plantation of Norway Spruce on the hillside near Fort
Necessity. Hardwood forest covered the hillside at the
time of the battle.
The public can still use the picnic pavilions,
however. As you relax in the picnic area, take the
time to remember all the hard work and
contributions of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Jun-08
