Waxahachie CCC Camp History by U. G. Knight, Camp Educational Advisor The Waxahachie Daily Light, March 20, 1940 Contributed by Jean Caddel Company 878 CC, now located at Waxahachie, Texas, was first assembled and organized at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 27, 1933. The charter members were conditioned at Camp Bullis until June 19, 1933, at which time the Company departed for its new home at Clifton, Texas, under the command of Captain C. G. Hanna, 9th Inf. The camp was known as SP-11-T, work being under the direction of the State Park Service. A beautiful park was constructed on the Bosque River while working at this location, lasting evidence of the good work of Company 878. On January 3, 1934, the Company was moved to Belton, Texas, under the command of Captain R. L. Erwin, Cav-Res. Here the Company settled down as PE-76-T 878's and began its work in soil conservation. During its eighteen month's stay at Belton, it was commanded successively by Captain C. G. Smith, Inf-Res, Captain C. M. O'Brian, Inf-Res., and Captain E. D. Rattray, Fa-Res. While working near Belton, many miles of terraces were run, and 1500 concrete and rock check dams were built, which control the drainage of more than 9,000 acres of land in Bell County. On July 15, 1935, the Company was moved to its present location in Waxahachie, Texas, at that time under the command of Lieut. A. J. Rich, USNR. At this location, it became known as Camp SCS-37-T and continued work in Soil Conservation. Since arrival at Waxahachie, the Company has been under the Command of Lieut. Thomas P. Jackson (who replaced Lieut. Rich). Captain John Bloodworth Jr. Inf-Res., Captain M. R. Kunitz. Sig-Res; and Mr. Robert W. Evans, CCC Company Commander, the present Commanding Officer. Junior Officers have been Lieut. C. W. Mainer, Lieut. Hines. Inf-Res., Lieut. M. B. Montgomery, Lieut, C. W. Smith, VMCR, Lieut. Richard E. Arnold, OM-Res., and Mr. C. V. H. Harvey, CCC Stubaltern, who is currently stationed at this company. The Camp now has a well equipped recreational hall with comfortable chairs, a pool table, ping-pong table, dominoes, radio, and other equipment for entertainment and recreation. The Library or Reading Room is one of the beauty spots of the camp area. It has been walled and sealed with ply board and finished in light varnish. Bookcases for the various permanent and traveling libraries have recently been built; the arrangement being both practical and also an attractive bit of workmanship, all labor being done by enrollee carpenters. The Reading Room is attractively furnished with chrome steel and other comfortable furniture, giving the enrollees an inviting and ideal environment to enjoy the many interesting books, magazines, and newspapers which may be found there. The Educational Program is now under the direction of Mr. U. G. Knight, Educational Adviser, who had been with this company since 1936. Educational activities have come to be [a] most important part of the average enrollee's camp life; and at Co. 878, a varied group of courses are made available.  Instructors have been supplied by the Army Personnel, Technical Staff, WPA, and enrollees. The Camp Program currently offers courses in Typing, Current History, Woodworking, Spelling, Reading, Arithmetic, Photography, First Aid, Leadership, Safety Driving, Basic Soil Conservation, Music and Orchestra. A woodworking shop, complete with the latest type of tools and small power driven machines, (under the direction of Mr. Cecil Brother), is also available to enrollees desiring training in this type of work. A highlight in the Educational Program is the proximity of Trinity University also located in Waxahachie, Texas. For the past several years, this institution has presented scholarships to a few selected enrollees of Company 878, and thus made possible advanced college training to the boys who are qualified for such work. Since the inception of the scholarship, approximately fifty members of Co. 878 have attended Trinity University. This year one of the enrollees, Joe Scott, will receive his degree. Two other boys who began their college careers while members of Co. 878 CCC will also receive degrees - Ross Miles from Trinity University, and George Erch from Baylor University at Waco, Texas. Projects which have been completed  include: construction of  319 miles of new fences; sodding of  4,166 acres of pastures; 17,097 acres of land have been strip cropped; 3025 acres have been terraced, and contour cultivation has been put in practice on 17,651 acres. Current work projects are under the direction of Mr. S. Schieffer, Camp Superintendent, and Mr. T. N. Winn, Camp Conservationist. As the director of the CCC, one of his major objectives has been to see that the Camp's members are more ready for employment when they leave the CCC. Co. 878 is proud to point out a few of the many enrollees who have attained this end. Wilton Collier finished the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas after leaving camp, won a trip to Europe for his outstanding agricultural work, and is now a surveyor with the Soil Conservation Service. W. O. Howard is now a foreman for the Soil Conservation Service at this camp. Eell Burns is at the present time employed as operator of dredging machines in the Ship Channel at Houston, Texas. Ira Redden is currently employed as a foreman in construction work. Clarence Marlar is an employee in the office of a large oil company. John McGregor is a foreman on a project at Mineral Wells, Texas . John Joiner is currently employed by the Census Bureau. Many other enrollees have left Co. 878 in the past few years to better themselves by returning to work in civilian life, being better qualified as workers and as citizens. Co. 878, we believe, is typical of the many benefits derived from the CCC Camps throughout the nation. The Camps are valuable assets to the localities in which they are located in that [they] offer much needed training to deserving youth; and accomplish work projects of lasting benefits to the resources of the communities. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ CCC  - Civilian Conservation Corps, was established during the depression in 1933 to provide constructive, helpful, outdoor work for unemployed young men. The camp in Waxahachie was located on Hwy 1446, where it crosses I-35, and the concrete flagpole base may still be seen lying on the southeast corner.   Copyright © 2001-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:30:27 MDT