The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a voluntary work relief program from 1933 to 1942 to address unemployment during the Great Depression. Unemployed and unmarried men ages 18–28 could participate. The program focused on manual labor jobs relating to conservation and development of state and federal lands. Men were paid $30 a month along with food, shelter and clothing. They were required to send home $25 per month of their pay.
Civilian Conservation Corps Poster
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Three million men participated in the CCC over its existence. One was my grandfather who left high school to enroll in the CCC. He participated in the CCC until the attack on Pear Harbor when he enlisted in the Navy.
My Grandfather, after he left the CCC and enlisted in the Navy.
Thorp point is located on Geiger Grade, linking Reno and Virginia City. People drive past routinely and many have no idea of the little gem and piece of history below the stacked rock pillars.
The only building is a two sided outhouse. Ten to fifteen campsites are spread over a few acres plus an overlook and stairs built into rock.
Each campsite has a fireplace made with locally quarried stone. Stonework was commonly used by the CCC in a variety of projects.
An overlook including stairs and bench was built into a large boulder. A plaque in memory of Dr. Geiger is mounted on the stone.
Thorp Point Marker, Overlooking Reno and the Sierras
Scattered around the campground were rock towers with two cylindrical holes through the top. They reminded me of cartoon characters, each had it’s own personality. I asked about these in several Nevada off-road and history groups, and people guessed they were rock monsters, Inuit Inuksuk or the ever popular response, aliens. The best guess was a mount for a sign, but it doesn’t make sense to have two mounts so close.
The CCC completed a variety of projects: roads, bridges, erosion control, forest and range management. In Northern Nevada, they constructed outhouses, including one on our ranch. Like now, the government doesn’t always do things that make sense. When the outhouse was installed, the ranch had indoor plumbing. (Our neighbor, since passed, referred to his as a “Roosevelt Souvenir.”)
Our CCC “Roosevelt Souvenir” Outhouse
Friends Stephen, Shonna and I made a day of the area around Geiger Grade and Virginia City. We drove the original Geiger Grade wagon toll road, backtracked to Thorp Point and visited mines outside of Virginia City. We ended our loop at Gold Hill and Silver City cemeteries.
Many of the fireplaces looked like thrones
Visited 12-20-2020
References
- Basso, Dave. Nevada Historical Marker Guidebook. Nevada Publications, 1986. Page 211, 218.
- Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy: CCC Camps Nevada
- Nevada Land Trust: Old Geiger Grade
- NoeHill Travels in the American West: Nevada: Geiger Lookout Wayside Park
- Only in Your State: This 150-Year-Old Road In Nevada Takes You On A Twisting Journey To A Gorgeous Overlook
- Wikipedia: Civilian Conservation Corps
- Wikipedia: Nevada State Route 341
Stephen Knight says
Fantastic history. Great interesting research a ot the ranch and your grandfather. Thank you some much, I enjoyed being a part of it.
Tami says
Hubby looked at donating the outhouse to the historical museum and I’m glad he didn’t. I wish I knew more about my Grandfather’s time in the CCC, I know more about the Navy. He was on the USS Honolulu during the Battle of Kolombangara. He was injured and sent to sick bay, not long after a torpedo hit killing everyone in engineering.