The Civilian Conservation Corps Interpretive Area
The CCC Interpretive Area at South Cumberland State Park consists of a 1/3-mile trail, connecting 13 graphic panels that tell the story of Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1475 in words and historical pictures. The trail takes visitors past the foundations and other remnants of the "village" that housed 200 young men and their leaders between 1935 and 1938, and the interpretive panels weave together the amazing story of the mission and contributions of the CCC to the South Cumberland Region. The interpretive area is a project of the Friends of South Cumberland State Park, funded by a generous grant from the South Cumberland Community Fund.
The site is approximately 1/2 mile from the Grundy Forest trailhead, along the Grundy Day Loop Trail. The walk to, through and back from the site totals approximately one mile. The trail is generally easy, but there are sections with roots and rocks; sturdy walking shoes and walking sticks are recommended!
Special thanks to Friends' CCC Team Lead Rob Moreland and Interpretive Area Designer Rick Dreves, as well as the dozens of volunteers, Park Rangers and others who worked diligently over the course of 2-1/2 years to bring this fascinating piece of area and Park history to life!
The site is approximately 1/2 mile from the Grundy Forest trailhead, along the Grundy Day Loop Trail. The walk to, through and back from the site totals approximately one mile. The trail is generally easy, but there are sections with roots and rocks; sturdy walking shoes and walking sticks are recommended!
Special thanks to Friends' CCC Team Lead Rob Moreland and Interpretive Area Designer Rick Dreves, as well as the dozens of volunteers, Park Rangers and others who worked diligently over the course of 2-1/2 years to bring this fascinating piece of area and Park history to life!
A loop trail and interpretive signage throughout the site allows visitors to learn about the history of Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1475 and its work in this region from 1932 to 1942. This site was home to Company 1475 from 1935 to 1938.
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A new outdoor classroom at the site, named in honor of former CCC Superintendent and Tracy City leader Herman Baggenstoss, is used by the Friends and Park Rangers for school programs, re-enactments, and other educational initiatives.
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Can't make it out to the site? Click below to learn about the amazing story of CCC Company 1475,
as told on the 13 interpretive panels now on display in the CCC Interpretive Area:
as told on the 13 interpretive panels now on display in the CCC Interpretive Area:
Friends volunteer Rob Moreland displays one of the CCC interpretive panels.
CCC Interpretive Trail Earns State Historical Award
The Friends of South Cumberland State Park has been recognized by the Tennessee Historical Commission (THC) for its work in building an interpretive trail on the site of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 1475 in the South Cumberland State Park.
THC awarded 2021 Certificate of Merit Awards to organizations that completed preservation projects at historic locations across the state. These awards are presented each May during National Preservation Month. Since 1975, THC’s Certificate of Merit Program has recognized exemplary work by individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, or governmental entities to further promote historic preservation or the study of history in Tennessee. Nominations are solicited from the public in December of the preceding year and judged by category.
With the financial support of the South Cumberland Community Fund and other donors and volunteers, park rangers and Friends volunteers restored the site of CCC Company 1475 in 2019, where, during the 1930s, the camp was headquartered. The project identified, cleared and began to conserve some of the aging camp infrastructure, including foundations, cisterns and paths, and created a new interpretive loop that takes visitors to the most interesting areas of the site.
Click here to learn more about the trail: https://www.friendsofsouthcumberland.org/ccc.html.
The Friends of South Cumberland State Park has been recognized by the Tennessee Historical Commission (THC) for its work in building an interpretive trail on the site of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 1475 in the South Cumberland State Park.
THC awarded 2021 Certificate of Merit Awards to organizations that completed preservation projects at historic locations across the state. These awards are presented each May during National Preservation Month. Since 1975, THC’s Certificate of Merit Program has recognized exemplary work by individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, or governmental entities to further promote historic preservation or the study of history in Tennessee. Nominations are solicited from the public in December of the preceding year and judged by category.
With the financial support of the South Cumberland Community Fund and other donors and volunteers, park rangers and Friends volunteers restored the site of CCC Company 1475 in 2019, where, during the 1930s, the camp was headquartered. The project identified, cleared and began to conserve some of the aging camp infrastructure, including foundations, cisterns and paths, and created a new interpretive loop that takes visitors to the most interesting areas of the site.
Click here to learn more about the trail: https://www.friendsofsouthcumberland.org/ccc.html.
