Gardner Musing

CCC Camp and WPA. Two different programs to help communities thrive thru tough times in the 1930’s.
WPA and CCC were part of what the government called a New Deal program that was created be President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
WPA workers were men and women of various ages with priority given to those in need of relief.
CCC ‘s requirements were young men from ages of 18 to 25 which later the age group was 17- 28 who volunteered.
Type, of work that the Civilian Conservation Corps was manual labor focused on conservation and development of natural resources. Building trails and planting trees constructing parks was just a few things that they carried out.
WPA Works Progress Administration type of work was building roads, buildings , libraries, and zoos as well as cultural projects like art installations , writing theater programs.
The duration of the WPA was 8 years starting in 1935 to 1943 adapting to the needs during the Great Depression.
The Marion County Standard newspaper had printed several announcements and articles of some of the WPA work in Marion County Mo starting in the year of 1935.
August 28 page 1 Court Grants Right of Way.
The Marion county court granted the city of Pallmyra a right of way for a pipe line on the Rock Cut Hill road North of town.
The road had been abandoned when Hiway 61 was completed but never had been officially closed. The city of Palmyra made an application to the WPA for the removal of the city pump house at North River. It was to be moved to a point downstream near the city dam which was found at the site of the old highway bridge. To lay the pipe, the city needed a right of way from the court.
Due to the prolonged drought, there was soil that was filling in causing problems with the city water supply. So, the City officials thought that if the pump house were moved closer to the dam, that the problem would be solved.
The court also agreed to give the right of way for the change in the location of the Highway east of Hester. It was made to put the hi way out of high water range from the Fabius River.
Claims at this session were -road bills of $1756.73 County Revenue of $1180.77 WPA extended water mains and sewer lines to the Hatch Dairy Experimental Station on Rt. U. The total cost was set at $763 with WPA share of $340.
The average pay for a WPA worker was $41.00 per month.
The average pay for the CCC worker was $30.00 with $25.00 being sent home.
Palmyra has many of the WPA and the CCC projects that are still visible. You would be surprised of the work they done and it still stands to this very day.
Everyone have a great week.
The Gardner House Museum is open on Fridays 10 to 2
The Old Marion County Jail and Genealogy Resource Room is open on Wednesday 10 to 2.