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Start Over Creator Blackwell, James

James Blackwell interviewed by David W. Benavitch

Records the recollections of James Blackwell, a Civilian Conservation Corps enrollee and truck driver at Camp 8, Lyndhurst/Sherando Lake, Virginia from 1935-38. Describes Depression era situation, the WPA program, and enrollment in the CCC at the age of 14 or 15 in Aug. of 1935. Mentions early days at the camp site: mixing cement; constructing buildings such as the administration building; stone masonry and the rock crusher operation (incl. picking, hauling and laying face rock to create stone walls); tree planting; and later work as a truck driver (hauling dirt and fire fighting). Talks about general living conditions; food and KP; sports (boxing) and entertainment. Reminisces about military and Forest Service personnel who helped him; CCC friends; and relations with local town (Waynesboro) residents. Mentions "Old Hen" parties and encounters with mash and whiskey; quarantine scare over polio; and discharge from the camp. In general, records his experiences and impressions of four years as a CCC participant at a camp which later became a part of the national forest recreation system.

  1. James Madison University
  2. Life in a CCC camp: A history of Camp NF-8 Sherando, Virginia oral histories

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