New Mexico CCC Camp Experience (updated 1/25/2017)

Dad enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) when he was only seventeen (17) years old and was assigned, along with other enrollees from Pennsylvania, to a CCC camp in New Mexico.

At the time of his enrollment, job opportunities in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area were limited. The unemployment rate at the time equaled twenty-two percent (22%) of the work force because the steel industry, a mainstay of the economy, suffered extensively during the 1930s.

Dad's experience began on January 10, 1940 when he was sent to the CCC Reception Center in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania for processing and transfer to Company 3356 of the 8th Corps Area in New Mexico. The group of new enrollees traveled by train arriving in New Mexico on January 15,1940.

Dad was assigned to the Public Domain Grazing Program [G-37-N (Company 3356)] in a camp near Hot Springs, New Mexico (Hot Springs is now called Truth or Consequences). Dad's CCC camp did work for the Department of the Interior, Division of Grazing and Bureau of Reclamation. The Public Domain Grazing (DG) Program was the 37th camp established in New Mexico.  The closest railroad station to the camp was located in Engel and the Post Office was located in Cochillo.

PHOTO OF COCHILLO CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS CAMP

Engle, Aleman, Cochillo, and Cutter CCC Camps

Dad may have divided his CCC time among the Engle, Aleman, Cochillo, and Cutter Camps.

It is interesting to note that these CCC camps are now considered Ghost Towns in New Mexico.  To get information on these ghost towns click on "Sierra County" on the interactive map and then look for the town name.

Normal Routine in CCC Camp

Dad's normal CCC routine was probably very similar to other CCC camp enrollees.  This routine included a wake up call at 6:00 am followed by calisthenics and a hurried breakfast at 6:45 am.  Enrollees were at their designated work site by 8:00 am where they worked until 4:00 pm. Dinner, usually the highlight of the day, was served at 5:30 pm.

Galley Force-Kitchen Work

It seems that Dad may have served with the galley force because of the "whites" he wore while at camp. The following photos show Dad in his "whites" and a picture of the "Cooks House" in Cutter, New Mexico. Good cooks were key to good morale and were thought by many to be second only to the Camp Commander in importance to the camp. Little did Dad know that almost 2 years later he would serve as a Ship's Cook aboard a Landing Craft Infantry (Large) ship during World War II where once again cooks aboard this type of ship were considered essential to good morale.
 

Cook's House Cutter, NM	Earl Hansford Cook	Dad (in Center) and Camp Galley Force
Dad leaving Cook's House	Dad Pointing His Finger at Another Camp Enrollee	Dad (on Left) with Sidney and Jim Rodd

Recreation at Camp

Recreation was limited at camps with an occasional softball game breaking up the routine. For relaxation, enrollees usually traveled to Hot Springs where they could swim, roller skate, or participate in other social events such as drinking and/or dancing with the local girls in town.

According to Richard Melzer, "drinking, gambling and womanizing were perceived as legitimate rites of passage to manhood" for CCC enrollees.

Enrollees could also take advantage of the reading materials, especially the Western Magazines, that were stacked in the recreational hall. My Dad's interest in the western novels by Zane Grey may have started while he was in the New Mexico camp.

Enrollees, with only a meager $5.00 a month available to spend, may have just traveled to town or other local sites including the nearby Rio Grande River where they could hang out or take in the sites.

 

	Photo Captioned Smitty at Bat Photos on left are of CCC enrollees in Hot Springs, New Mexico enjoying other recreational activities.

Discharge from Civilian Conservation Corps -- June 22, 1940

Dad's CCC service in New Mexico ended on June 18,1940. He returned by train to the New Cumberland Reception Center in preparation for discharge.  On June 22, 1940, he was Honorably Discharged from the Civilian Conservation Corps and returned home by train to Braddock, PA.

Stanley Galik in Hot Springs, NM

This photo of Dad in Hot Springs taken in 1940 might be at or near the location where CCC enrollees were dropped off in town and where they would be picked up either at 11:30 pm on Saturday or early on Sunday afternoon. This location may be near where R. L. Coker's father ran a short order restaurant and where some of the restaurant's best customers were enrollees who attempted to sober up with coffee before returning to camp.
 

ALEMAN SIDE CAMP ENTRANCE

Camp DG-37N Cutter, NM

An unidentified enrollee in front of the Aleman Side Camp marker.
 

BILL SHARPE AND SNYDER

Bill Sharpe and Snyder are pictured in front of the Hot Springs National Bank.
 

THE RIO GRANDE

Enrollee next to Rio Grande River