And the West is History: CCC Camp at Red Mesa – 1936

The Civilian Conservation Corps was a significant component of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It provided jobs for unemployed, unmarried men age 17 to 28. More than 3.5 million men participated, living in 4,500 camps across the United States. La Plata County hosted three camps, including the one pictured, located at Red Mesa, near the confluence of Cherry Creek and the La Plata River. Camp DG-9-C (Division of Grazing) opened in mid 1935 and operated until May 1938. The men in this camp focused on enhancing rural water management and assisted ranchers in managing problem wildlife, under the guidance of renowned county rancher and businessman, Hans Aspaas. Some camp members worked at a side camp in Farmington. When Camp DG-9-C closed, the men transferred to Paradox. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum (Catalog Number: 04.28.12 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)