Our Delightfully Diverse Dynamic Country

I mentioned some of the strange and wonderful things we saw on our journey across our beautiful country in my last article, but now I want to tell you more about things that you “probably” don’t know about…at least I didn’t.

Back in 1929 to 1933 during the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed a plan to get people back to work, especially men, because they were the chief “bread-winners” at that time and didn’t have work; nobody had work. It was an ambitious plan to build up the natural infrastructure of our great country, by meeting the needs of conservation projects that had been lagging. Here’s just one example you might find interesting.

The Fremont Lake Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was formed in Wyoming, thanks to President Roosevelt. Building the things that this (and other communities) needed at a fair price to enhance the area provided the workers with fair and decent work; both problems were solved. The government provided the salaries and the workers with an income, housing, meals, recreation and medical services. 

In this case, in Sublette County, Wyoming, they needed a reservoir to contain the snow melt runoff which would provide water for the residents and their livestock and the hay that they relied on down the mountain for a living. So, the Corps of Engineers stepped up with the plans and the Civilian Conservation Corps came in and built shelters for the workers to live in, similar to a small village with a mess hall, recreation and very small living accommodations or more accurately, sleeping accommodations. They were not elaborate living quarters by any means. If you go and visit the site, you can still see the foundations of the tiny buildings and will be shocked at the size of them. But realistically, they were probably thrilled to have work, whatever income they earned and could send home.

They created a dam which contained the snow melt runoff from the mountains and peripheral waterways that channeled water in different directions for different purposes. One was called the “Fish Pond” for the delight of fisher-people of all ages, who want to enjoy the peace and quiet of the wilderness. Most of the water goes to the homes and ranches in Pinedale, Wyoming for their use along with the ranchers for irrigation purposes to raise alfalfa and livestock and the excess water travels farther south. There are also recreational streams that provide trout fishing and rafting for pleasure, especially during the hot July through August months.

Thanks to the efforts of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the CCC, they enabled progress and stability through the Depression and made a positive difference into the future. There may be a message in this strategy to stimulate our economy and help people get back on their feet.