The Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps at Pope Farm Conservancy
Among the many things to see and do at the Pope Farm Conservancy, there is a special relic from the Great Depression days of the 1930’s that sometimes goes unnoticed. The structure is low to the ground and easy to miss. In 1938, young men from the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) put in what looks like a concrete slide in a gully on the north end of the Conservancy property. The CCC was a Depression-era national program that provided employment to teenagers and young men.
The erosion control structure they built on the Pope farm represents a glimpse into the past, and is a testament not only to the young men, but also to a soil conservation movement that was in its early experimental stages.
Dozens of soil-saving structures were built in south-central Wisconsin. Most are hidden and long-forgotten in scattered farm fields. Yet, here on the Pope Farm property is the only one with protected status, plus a unique photographic history. Explore the six stories and discover how the CCC helped propel the conservation movement forward in the Badger State.
Learn about the “The History of the Civilian Conservation Corps at Pope Farm” by watching our virtual presentation from Jan 26th, 2022. Historian Robert Moore talks about the CCC Spillway that was built at Pope Farm in the 1930s. Learn how and why it was constructed and who built it.
Video Series: The Legacy of the CCC at Pope Farm Conservancy
Story 1 – The Spillway
Sitting alone in the middle of a farm field, it looks like a very old concrete slide. What is it and what is it doing there? Come and take the first step toward understanding how a group of young men, and other dedicated individuals, overcame hardships during the Great Depression to help jump-start the conservation movement.
Story 2 – The Great Depression
It was the worst economic calamity in U.S. history. How did the “New Deal” of President Franklin Roosevelt impact Wisconsin? How did the relief effort make any difference to thousands of teenagers and young men desperately looking for work?
Story 3 – The CCC and SCS Come to Dane County
How did Wisconsin push itself to the front of the conservation movement in the Midwest? In large part, it was a combination of several elements that included unique farmland geography, as well as innovative advice from experts at the state’s largest university. This is how it all came together.
Story 4 – The Mount Horeb CCC Camp
Some people said it would take an army to prevent erosion from stripping the rich topsoil off of the farmlands of south-central Wisconsin. They were right. But not a military army. This was a citizen’s army, and this is how a small town became a partner in that effort.
Story 5 – The Boys of The CCC
Who were the young men who built dozens of soil-saving concrete structures throughout rural Dane and Iowa counties? How much were they paid? What was their work routine? Many were away from home for the first time. What did they do for fun?
Story 6 – The Legacy of the CCC
Most of the surviving erosion control structures built by the CCC in Wisconsin are scattered and hidden among farm fields and woods. Yet, at Pope Farm Conservancy one can see close-up how one simple structure from the Great Depression days, still functions as a practical reminder of what conservation means to farmers—and the rest of us.
