CCC 75th Anniversary Celebration Events
CCC 75th Anniversary Photographic Exhibit at State Capitol
March - April 2008
The exhibit told the story of the CCC in California State Parks through historic photos. Focusing on FDR’s philosophy and the goals of the New Deal, the exhibit displayed rare original photographs of CCC enrollees building park features that are still in use today. The exhibit concluded with the legacy of the CCC – our modern-day California Conservation Corps, which carries on the work of preserving and protecting California’s natural resources. The exhibit was a collaboration of the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the California State Capitol Museum. View CCC Exhibit Panels.
Honoring The CCC: Who Built the Foundation of California’s State Park System
April 2008 at the Mountain Theatre, Mount Tamalpais State Park
California State Parks honored Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollees at a 75th Anniversary ceremony at Mount Tamalpais State Park on April 12, 2008. Along with honoring former CCC members, there was a presentation of a CCC Proclamation from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In attendance were former members of the CCC from the 1930s: Robert Griffiths, Arnold Blumhardt, and Herbert Perry.
The ceremony included:
Paul Romero, California State Parks, Chief Deputy Director
Gray Brechin, PhD., Historical Geographer and author of Imperial San Francisco: Urban Power, Earthly Ruin and Farewell, Promised Land: Waking from the California Dream
Brian O’Neill, General Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Jimmy Camp, California Conservation Corps’ Communications Director
Dave Gould, State Parks, Marin District Superintendent
Media: View Mount Tamalpais CCC Remembrance Day Event Photos
La Purísima Mission CCC Anniversary Celebration
April 2008
California State Parks celebrated the 75th anniversary of the CCC at Mission La Purísima Concepción on April 26, 2008. La Purísima is a National Historic Landmark, and the most completely restored mission in California. Between 1934 and 1942, the CCC rebuilt or restored the many adobe structures of the mission, using adobe bricks and clay roof tiles manufactured on-site by the CCC enrollees. CCC memorabilia was on display inside Padre’s Residence. The event included: Welcome by Superintendent Danita Rodriquez; Address by California State Park Director Ruth Coleman; Introduction of CCC enrollees in attendance, their family representatives and recollections of CCC members.
Media: Read Lompoc Record Newspaper CCC Celebrated Article
Memories of New Brighton Day
August 2008
New Brighton State Beach in Capitola celebrated its 75th year and park construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The public was invited to enjoy a “Memories of New Brighton” day on Saturday, August 16th. The highlight event was a historic walk and talk with Author/Historian Sandy Lydon and Capitola Museum Curator Carolyn Swift. The full schedule of activities included family crafts and stories, kite making for youngsters and a Visitor Center reception hosted by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.
In preparation for a “Memories of New Brighton” event, members of the public who had enjoyed New Brighton through the years, were invited to submit snapshots of family and friends enjoying the park. These were exhibited at New Brighton August 15th thru the 27th. Photos included camping, beach picnics, weddings, fishing, surfing, wildlife viewing, or Pot Belly Beach activities.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Celebrated 75th Anniversary
August 2008
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park celebrated its 75th anniversary as a state park on Saturday, August 23. “County fair” type activities were held in the Day Use parking lot, including community booths, old fashioned children’s games, educational displays about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and guided walks. Campfire program and food was provided by the Big Sur Lodge. There were also displays about the 2008 Basin Complex fire. The local community and anyone interested in Pfeiffer Big Sur were invited to share in the celebration for one of the most beloved and popular state parks in California. There was "free day use parking" for this event.
75th Mountain Adventure Anniversary
Cuyamaca Rancho and Palomar Mountain State Parks
October 2008
California State Parks and the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association invited the public on October 11, for the 75th anniversary celebration of the establishment of Cuyamaca Rancho and Palomar Mountain State Parks. The celebration was held at the Cuyamaca School Camp (Camp Cuyamaca) located at 12561 Hwy 79 Descanso, CA, inside Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
Both parks were part of a grand scheme to expand the then, very small State Park System. In 1928 the first State Park Bond Act was passed, paving the way for the purchase of these two parks. Palomar’s first 1600 acres were purchased in 1931 and Ralph M. Dyar sold 20,000 acres of what is now Cuyamaca Rancho State Park in 1933. The 1930s also saw the creation of the Emergency Conservation Work camps, but President Roosevelt used the term Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in a speech to Congress and the name stuck.
This celebration highlighted both Cuyamaca Rancho and Palomar Mountain State Park’s history and place in the history of San Diego County. Event highlights included history of the parks in photos and lecture. The public learned about the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps, as told in their own anniversary display, and celebrated San Diego County’s premier mountain parks and 75 years of Mountain Adventure.
Read News Release Download Event Flyer
Mount San Jacinto State Park Celebrates 75th Anniversary
June 2009
On June 13, 2009, Mount San Jacinto State Park (MSJSP) celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ (CCC) development of the park. Established in 1933, the Corps was responsible for the construction of many park facilities, including the Idyllwild campground, warden’s residence and several historic structures still in use today.
Activities for this event included a spike camp demonstration by the California Conservation Corps, historic displays of “Park Rustic” architecture and stonework, and original video footage of the CCC at work. There was also a book signing by a local author & historian as well as children’s games and activities. Guest speakers included local legislators and park professionals. State park employees and volunteers were available for questions and explanations about the CCC role at Mount San Jacinto State Park.
An evening campfire program, “A Tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps,” culminated the day’s events. State Park staff encouraged CCC family members to contact MSJSP, as there were many an opportunity for family to display memorabilia or artifacts that tell a CCC story. Read News Release