This location, the “CC camp” as we call it in our family, was opened in September 1934 under the Franklin Delano Roosevelt administration. Its primary purpose was to improve the area while providing income to local residents affected by the Great Depression. This camp was primarily manned by local volunteers (also referred to as LEMS: locale experienced men)under the administration of the military. They mostly planted trees, cleared roads, constructed campgrounds and picnic areas, maintained local forests, installed culverts, constructed the Delta Fire Tower, assisted with extinguishing forest fires, and extended the Delta/Drummond Road. Due to the large number of trees planted by these volunteers, they were also referred to as “Roosevelt’s Tree Army”.
The men who volunteered here earned $30/month, $25 of which was mandated to go their families. These grounds had full living quarters and if you look around, you can still find old foundations throughout. Down the main road, exists a cabin on private property. This cabin was one of the original structures and was the headquarters of this CCC camp. Family and/or friends of those living on-site could come during non-work times to visit, swim in Bass Lake, watch movies, or participate in the camp’s leisure activities. A member of our family, Larry Brilla, recalls coming here to watch movies with his brother Paul who worked here on-site. This site closed on July 1st, 1942 when government funding ceased for this location.
Our family and others use to camp here on family vacations for many years. Approximately 15 years ago, large boulders were placed at most of the camp roads and it was closed to overnight camping by the US park service. :(