Today, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. It was established in 1934, and a lot of work was done to keep the area beautiful for future generations. We are very thankful for the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). They were established by President Roosevelt in 1933 and operated until the start of World War II. Read on to learn more about all their wonderful work. Here is a list of 3 interesting facts about the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Smoky Mountains:
1. The Great Smoky Mountains Had the Most CCC Camps
President Roosevelt created the CCC as a way to help conserve the nation’s natural resources and help combat unemployment during The Great Depression. While every state participated in the program, the Smokies came out on top. The national park had more CCC camps than any other two parks in the country combined. There were 22 functioning camps that housed 4,300 men between the ages of 18 and 25, and they banded together to do a lot of rewarding work for the area.
2. They Built the “White Rock” Fire Tower
The CCC constructed 9 fire towers in Tennessee and 4 are still standing today. One of them is the “White Rock” fire tower that sits on top of Mount Cammerer. This peak is 4,928 feet high. The fire tower was completed in 1939. The structure is unique because it is in the shape of an octagon. It operated as a lookout tower for wildfires until the 1960s. Today, it is a great hiking destination. This is a strenuous hike with stunning mountain views as the reward. The route has a roundtrip distance of 11.2 miles and takes around 6 hours to complete. It follows the Low Gap Trail as well as a portion of the Appalachian Trail. While hiking, make sure to wear comfortable and sturdy shoes and drink lots of water. Begin this long trek early to avoid running out of daylight. It is never safe to hike at night.
3. They Built the Rockefeller Memorial
Another CCC structure that still stands today is the Rockefeller Memorial. It is located in the center of the park on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. It was built to honor the Rockefeller family. John D. Rockefeller donated $5 million dollars to the park in memory of his wife, Laura Spelman Rockefeller. Visitors can see it from the comfort of their own vehicle by driving on Newfound Gap Road. This is a scenic drive that has portions in both Tennessee and North Carolina. This is a great way to enjoy some stunning views, no matter what the weather looks like outside! See bountiful green trees and wildflowers, fall foliage, or snow. The whole drive takes around 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
Now you know all about the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Smoky Mountains. Want to know even more fascinating things about the park’s history? Check out our other list of people who helped shape Smoky Mountain history!
