 South
Dakota Garden Clubs Participate in 75th Anniversary Tree Planting
Project
Friendship Garden Club of
Andover, SD is the first garden club to meet the
challenge.
As we head into the 75th Anniversary of the New
Deal, garden clubs within South Dakota have stepped forward to
participate in the anniversary. Garden Clubs have a long
history of beautification and conservation. Tree planting
has long been an active part of their mission.
South Dakota has a rich CCC history. Although
the greater portion of the CCC work was done in the Black Hills area,
all across the state there are remnants of New Deal activity. On
the Great Plains of eastern South Dakota CCC work has a larger
presence in wildlife refuges such as Sand Lake, Waubay, and Lake
Andes. The tree shelterbelt system, which stretched from North
Dakota to Texas, included millions of trees raised by the CCC
and planted by different public works organizations.
Shelterbelts are still visible and play an active part in soil erosion
and moisture retention.
The New Deal touched all citizens and its history is
still present in all of our communities. Become involved: plant
a tree.
South Dakota is making progress on museum and statue
Blacks Hills Chapter #177 - Partnerships make it happen
In addition to the new museum site, Melvin
Hermanson, a CCC boy and chapter member from
Rapid City
, has volunteered to donate funds to purchase the CCC boy statue which
will be placed near the entrance to the property. The chapter expects
to have a big Hoo Rah! in the spring. Watch here for details.
 Black
Hills Chapter # 177 has been invited to house a CCC museum in a 728-
sq. ft. room inside this former US Forest Service building. The Hill
City, South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee
and the city are working on a project of turning the recently vacated
office space and picnic area into the
Hill
City
Visitors
Center
and Chamber of Commerce.
The property includes
several acres which are already landscaped and the picnic tables offer
a welcoming appearance.
Hill City
,
SD
was the home post office for several CCC camps.
The northeast portion
where the museum will be located is a split level where stairs are
required for access to both levels and an elevator will be installed
as part of the building remodeling.
 Just
north of the main building and across the creek, two cabins,
purportedly CCC built, sit empty. They may be incorporated into the
scheme of things. At present the Forest Service is using them for
storage and the interior condition is not known.
For more information about the CCC in South
Dakota:
- Learn more about the CCC in South Dakota.
Go to : www.civilianconservationcorps.blogspot.com
South Dakota author,
Peggy Sanders, has become a driving force in bringing awareness to
the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Black Hills
area. Biographical, research information, and contact
information is available by
viewing her blogspot. Peggy is also anxious to talk to folks
who can contribute additional information to the history of
the CCC in South Dakota.
- In 2005 the National Alumni Reunion was held in
Rapid City and hosted by the local NACCCA Chapter #177 2005
NACCCA Reunion - Rapid City, SD
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