CCC Camp Lava Beds – Camp NM-6 California

Civilian Conservation Corps

Opened June 1935 at site of Gillem’s Camp [Army camp in 1872-73 Modoc Indian War]

Click on picture for larger image

Camp Lava Beds c1936 - click to open larger image

HISTORY

[lifted from another site, probably USFS brochure]

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps on March 31, 1933, to provide employment for America's youth and promote the nation's economic recovery. The CCC's work involved conservation projects on forest, park and farm lands, resulting in new recreation opportunities for all Americans. Two million enrollees worked in 975 national, state, county and municipal areas, including 198 camps in 94 national parks and monuments. Many of the roads, trails, bridges, and buildings used today were built by these young men. In less than ten years they left a lasting legacy for America and the National Park Service.

The CCC worked in Lava Beds National Monument from July 13, 1933, through June 30, 1942. In June 1935, they vacated Camp Bearpaw and moved into Camp Lava Beds at the site of Gillems Camp.During their nine years here, more than 1,400 enrollees lived and worked in 150-man detachments, each for a six month period. They built the roads, trails, campground, picnic areas and tables that are used today. They opened and developed major caves and provided conducted tours. They built a residential and administrative complex, a maintenance facility, a gas and oil house, and the fire lookout visible from here. All these facilities are architecturally unique and still in use. The CCC's contribution is making this park accessible and enjoyable to the public is immeasurable.

See more information at History of the CCC at Lava Beds National Monument.

The CCC Alumni Organization has a fairly comprehensive Political History of the CCC.

NEWSLETTERS

Newsletters produced by the various CCC Companies who worked at Camp Lava Beds are preserved and available from the Center for Research Libraries at the University of Chicago:

The Lava Beds Rattler, Company #544, August and October 1936.

The Arrowhead, Company #568, Jan 1936 to Sept 1937.

The Dixie Journal, Company #5470, April 1938.

The Irrigator, Company #5470, June 1938 to May 1940.

The Lava Bed News, Company #1989, Sept 1935.

The Lava Bed News, Company #3507, March 1938 to June 1940.

Lava Flows, Company #1989, Sept-Oct 1935.

Modoc Lava Flow, Company #3879, Sept 1937.

Ramblers, Company #1578, March 1938 to October 1939.

For more CCC newspapers, click on the link at CRL databases and put in a company number, or a place, or a title. They have over 5000 issues on microfilm or microfiche.

MAPS

GNIS locator for Gillem’s Camp, California, at Latitude: 414930N, Longitude: 1213324W

Detail area map showing Gillem’s camp in NW corner of Lava Beds National Monument.

Area map showing nearby towns and roads; Gillem’s Camp is located just right of the “R” in “Tule Lake NWR” at center of map.

Lava Beds National Monument road detail map; Gillem’s Camp was just west of intersection of Hill Road and SR 124, in the NW corner of the Monument.

Take a marvelous motorcycle tour of Lava Beds National Monument. Great pictures and links. [No longer free--subscription required.]

if you have more information, photos, or leads on this camp.

My dad [Jim RANSOM, 1912-2002] served here in May to October 1936, as Supply Steward in Company #544.

revised/updated 29 Jan 2008