Discover History

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was created during the Great Depression of the 1930s to restore natural resources and improve public lands while providing work for the unemployed.

Sometimes called Roosevelt’s Tree Army, the CCC revitalized land suffering from poor farming practices and overlogging. In Tennessee and many other states, the CCC built the first state parks. In the Cherokee National Forest, they built recreation areas, fire roads, ranger stations and other facilities and assisted with fire control.

The CCC’s work is dispersed throughout the forest. Here are some places where you can view the products of their labors:
• Backbone Rock Picnic Pavilions and Trail Rockwork (Iron Mountain Zone)
• The Laurels Picnic Pavilions and Rock Creek Bathhouse and Pool (Unaka Mountain Zone)
• Horse Creek Picnic Pavilion (Bald Mountain Zone)
• Dam Creek Picnic Area (Tellico River Zone)
• Tellico Ranger Station Complex (Tellico River Zone)
• Chilhowee Mountain Gazebo, Forest Road 77 on Ocoee Scenic Byway (Ocoee River Zone)