CAMP SP-11 COMPANY 212

GILBERT LAKE STATE PARK

LAURENS, NEW YORK

The Civilian Conservation Corps played a significant roll in the development of the present day Gilbert Lake State Park. On this, the sixty-seventh anniversary of the CCC’s establishment in Gilbert Lake, the Central Region would like to remember and honor their fascinating story.

When a fledgling Central New York State Park Commission approved in principle on May 6, 1933 the establishment of CCC camps at its four major parks, Green Lakes, Selkirk Shores, Chenango Valley and Gilbert Lake, the latter had only been in existence as a state park for seven years. Development of the 1,450-acre park was very limited at the time. The surrounding communities referred to the State land as wilderness. Road construction to improve park access was one of the first projects undertaken. The value of the CCC’s was immediately recognized as beneficial by the Commission for the development of the region’s parks and to the enrollees both financially and sociologically.

By 1935, two dams were built forming lakes covering an area of about twenty acres to serve as wildlife refuges. Walkways, truck access roads and bridle trails were constructed. Considerable planting and landscaping was accomplished, a nursery developed, and erosion control - revetment was placed on the lakeshore. In addition, 32 new stone fireplaces had been built in the cabin colony and picnic grounds were constructed.

In January 1936, the Commission received reports that five cabins were being constructed and an additional pond had been built under the Wildlife program. A 12-acre deeryard was fenced and additional picnic shelters were under construction around the lake.

The camp building remained the property of the Federal government for a couple years during World War II. It was not until September of 1946 that the Commission reported that the “Camp Gilbert Lake had been sold and that removal was substantially complete.”

The camp buildings may be gone in the Deer Run Camping Area, but the legacy of the men who lived and worked at Gilbert Lake Camp are manifested in the roads, picnic areas, camping and cabin areas, trails and service buildings. After 67 years, the CCC’s work continues to support and serve the thousands of park patrons that visit Gilbert Lake each year.

Gone too, but not forgotten are the many friendships that were created, nurtured and developed over the years by the men of the CCC’s who worked hard and played hard together Camp life was not easy. Drafty tents and poorly fitting uniforms from the First World War were common place in the beginning. Wooden barracks—five in number—eventually served as home for the 200 men of Company 212 whose initial enlistment of six months was often extended for up to two years and more.

The men worked a 40-hour-week and were paid $30.00 a month; $25.00 of which was sent home to their family. Room, board, medical, clothes and tools were provided.

Regular and Reserve Army Officers were assigned by the War Department to each camp to supervise their operation. The Labor Department enlisted the men and prepared them to enter the Corps. The National Park Service was tasked with providing personnel to plan and manage the many work projects in coordination with State Park staff. This blend of military and civilian control worked well and a strong rapport was established between enrollees and their superiors.

A camp orchestra, drama club, and newspaper provided opportunities to expand on ones talents and interests while providing entertainment to the rest of the camp. Baseball, softball, track and field, as well as, boxing, trap shooting and ping-pong were popular sports diversions. Arts & Crafts to include chip carving, woodworking, leather craft, metal craft and rustic woodcraft were also popular. Academic and vocational courses were offered that provided enrollees an educational opportunity in their off hours. Many enrollees earned their high school diploma in the 3-C’s.

Park development by the CCC’s continued at a rapid pace during 1937 as evidence by the New York State Conservation Department’s Annual Report to the Legislature which stated “the main development item completed was the installation of a complete tourist camp with all facilities. In addition, there was construction of a new water supply at one of the highest points in the park so that water by gravity system is now available throughout the area. Facilities such as power and water were extended and a considerable planting program accomplished.” The 1938 Annual Report indicates that “five new four-room cabins, complete with utilities, were placed in service” during the year. Additional Park roads to serve the cabin colony and the tourist camp were completed and parking and picnic facilities were provided on the East Side of the lake.

A new section of beach, a 30% increase in picnic and parking areas, completion of a camping area, and the construction of three more cabins had been accomplished by the CCC enrolled at Gilbert Lake in 1939.

The future of the CCC’s became questionable during the summer of 1940. The National Park Service had previously closed the Selkirk Camp (SP-10) on October 1, 1937. The Chenango Valley Camp (SP-13) was subsequently closed July 1, 1939, but transferred to Selkirk Shores the same date. This would last only until the 14^th of September, when it too would be closed and the camp buildings removed. With the future of the CCC unpredictable, there was reluctance to begin any large construction projects in the event that partially completed projects would have to be completed with State funds should the Gilbert Lake Camp be closed. Never the less, a large group shelter was constructed, as were four new cabins during 1940. It was in July of 1940 that the garage used principally to house CCC trucks caught fire and was destroyed. A replacement structure and a new storage building were started that same year.

At the Commission’s May 8, 1941 meeting it was reported that only the CCC veterans’ camp at Green Lakes and the camp at Gilbert Lake remained. Both were “considerably below their full strength” and new enrollees were few. Federal authorities discontinued the Gilbert Lake Camp on August 7, 1941. An additional three new cabins and completion of the reconstructed picnic area were made before the camp was abandoned. The closing of the Green Lakes Camp followed on October 31^st of the same year.

Morale was usually high at the Gilbert Lake Camp. For ten cents, an enrollee could enjoy a full-length feature movie and two comedies in the recreation hall every other week. A hair cut could be obtained for twenty-five cents and a shave for ten cents. Once a month the camp trucks would bring sweethearts in from the Oneonta area for a big dance. The women got in free while the men had to pay twenty-five cents. All profits went to buying music for the orchestra, sports equipment or other recreation and leisure materials. On a Saturday night, the men would take a trip to Oneonta for a movie and dancing. When the army transport truck started back to camp, some men would be left behind. Many a CCC’er was found hitch-hiking a ride in the early morning on a milk truck to make it back in time for roll call!

The CCC men of Company 212 knew what it was to be needy. As in other camps, the common criteria of all enrollees was to be unemployed and in need. It is not surprising then to learn of their actions during the July 1935 flood. The men of Gilbert Lake responded to calls for assistance to flood ravaged Unadilla in the Susquehanna Valley and to Delhi in the Delaware Valley. The men also kept a constant vigil from the Park’s 95-foot tall Fire Tower near the Hill Top Camping Area. The men’s firefighting skills came in handy when they were called to assist local volunteer fire companies. The tower was moved in 1947 and still stands near Gilboa in New York State. These humanitarian efforts, and others like them, earned the men of Gilbert Lake a positive reputation and well deserved place in local history records.

It is only appropriate that the men of the CCC’s, and their works which have benefited so many, be remembered today and always. The CCC was not just a work relief program for the over 3.5 million men who participated in the program, the unemployed youth of the Great Depression. President Franklin Roosevelt’s “Tree Army” was a prime example of a conservation ethnic that has preserved and restored the beauty of our natural resources while allowing for wise land-use management and development.

On this special commemorative occasion, the Central Region of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation expresses its deepest gratitude to those Civilian Conservation Corps men who helped to make Gilbert Lake the park we all love and enjoy today.