Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan Tuesday joined in officially unveiling a life size bronze statue of a Civilian Conservation Corps worker as a monument to the corps and its work to transform the state forests, parks and natural areas of Pennsylvania and the United States.

“From 1933 to 1942, hundreds of thousands of unemployed men worked in CCC camps throughout Pennsylvania,” Allan said.  “Many of these camps were in our parks and forests. The young men built roads, fought forest fires and constructed park facilites, all for a small paycheck, most of which went home to their families.  It’s important to recognize these accomplishments.”

Allan added that many of the CCC structures in state parks and forests are on the

the National Register of Historic Places.

The statue that sits on a stone foundation depicts a typical CCC worker and had a total cost of $25,000.

A private contribution of $18,000 funded most of the cost of the statue.  The funds were provided by Joe Weidemer of Altoona, who was not a CCC member but wanted to honor several close friends who were members.

This is the seventh CCC statue in Pennsylvania; more than any other state.  Other locations include: Leonard Harrison State Park; Cascade Park, New Castle; Promised Land State Park; Laurel Hill State Park; Warren County Visitor Center; and the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum.

Overlooking the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, the 6-acre Hyner View State Park in Clinton County offers one of the most spectacular scenic vistas in the Pennsylvania Wilds region.

The focal point of the park is the stone overlook wall, constructed in the 1930s by the CCC.

Recent improvements to the park include new trails that flow around the statue and reduce impacts on trees; expanded parking spots; hazardous tree removal; and a new flagpole.

Improvements are still underway on a new restroom; a trail below the overlook wall; additional parking; new benches; and landscaping.

Visit DCNR’s  Civilian Conservation Corps webpage for more information.  DCNR’s 2012-13 Calendar commemorates the 80th anniversary of the CCC.

9/24/2012