Carter County - Community Benefits of the New Deal

Background Info / Historical Story

“More than 25,600 men from Montana enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps; over 48,800 worked in the state’s 24 camps. CCC projects in western Montana were involved in forestry where Glacier National Park saw much work. Combating soil erosion received more emphasis in eastern Montana. In South Dakota projects included fire prevention, reforestation, and developing recreational facilities. In the summer of 1935, a federal program funded the construction of a CCC camp south of Ekalaka, that housed nearly 200 young men, working at fencing, forest thinning, building forest trails, spring development, and other projects to improve the value of the Ekalaka division of the Custer National Forest. It was a CCC Camp from 1935-1936 and 1940. On October 11, 1940, it was returned to the Forest Service and taken over by American Legion Post #60 in 1946. Carter County assumed management of the lease in the 1970s and completed many necessary repairs in 1975. Since then it has hosted 4H camps, family reunions, football camps, visitors and hunters.”- Carter County Museum via the Montana State Library’s Montana History Portal

Collections Spotlight

• A short report from the Ekalaka Eagle announcing the arrival of CCC recruits to the nearby camp, as well as the outbreak of mumps and measles among their ranks. 1935
• A typed card displaying ID information for the Custer National Forest Ekalaka District CCC Camp F-53, Co. 1999- year 1934-1935

Photos, Maps, etc

• Camp member Ralph Serchammer and others take a break to pet the camp dogs. 1939-1940
• Two CCC members pose for a photo at chilly Camp Needmore. 1940
• CCC members work with wood from the many trees surrounding Camp Needmore. 1940
• Members of the CCC commissioned to build storage dams pose for a photo. Photo is labeled as "Bob Noonan & Crew." 1935
• The men of Camp Needmore gather for the big morning stretch. 1940
• A group of men continue the construction of what appears to be a road near Ekalaka, MT. 1940

Links to other helpful sources

• Step Back in Time and Experience Life at CCC Camp Needmore!
• Explore the History of Camp Needmore
• A New Deal for Montana