LeedsUtah.org | Historic Leeds CCC Camp

The stock market crash that caused the Great Depression of 1929 was what brought about the bill in Congress that created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It became one of the most popular of the New Deal programs. The same type of program had been tried successfully to rebuild France after the war. Franklin D. Roosevelt got this program going within a month after he was sworn in as President.

The CCC program really had a duel purpose. One was to get some public projects completed and another to create jobs for the unemployed youth during those lean years. The CCC's were paid five dollars a month plus room and board, and twenty five dollars was sent home to their families.

CCC Camp 585 was established to the south of Leeds in 19__. This camp consisted of about 250 boys plus the officers, mechanics, and special men. Most of the boys serving at the Leeds Camp were from the Eastern States. The Army administered the camp in Leeds.

The Leeds CCC Camp boys worked for the Soil Conservation and Forest Service. It was at this time that the Forest Service built the road that leads out of Leeds and ends at the base of Pine Valley Mountain. The CCC boys built the campground there (Oak Grove). The camp site consisted of a group of campsites, containing stoves and tables. They piped spring water to different areas and built rest rooms. At one time they had swings and teeter-totters in several places, a tennis court and an amphitheater. All these things have been done away with now.

The Leeds CCC Camp went full swing until Pearl Harbor Day. Then it wasn't long until the boys were either in the army or on the defense jobs. The Depression was over.

When the Leeds Camp ceased to function, Abner Perry, from Cedar City, bought the barracks and hired local men to dismantle them. Most of the lumber was taken to Cedar City to build the new railroad buildings.

The only buildings left were the Doctors Quarters, Dispensary, Officers Quarters, Blacksmith's Shop and Pump House these were all built out of rock.

Built in the Great Depression year of 1933, the Leeds Civilian Conservation Corps Camp is perhaps the best remaining example of a CCC camp in the desert Southwest. These camps were typically built of relatively temporary wood frame construction. But the surviving stone buildings and extensive stone terraces at the Leeds camp are unique.

Approximately 250 men were housed in frame barracks that were located southwest of the stone buildings. Adjacent to the barracks were a mess hall, library and showers. Centered at the Leeds site was a freshwater spring and pond.

Temporary remote "spike" camps were also established near actual construction projects. The men at the Leeds camp built roads and bridges throughout Southern Utah including at Oak Grove and at Red Cliffs. They also helped in the construction of the Zion Park tunnels.

The Leeds CCC Camp was closed in 1942, and most of the wood frame buildings were removed before 1950. But these stone buildings and terraces remain as a testament to the nation's youth who were instrumental in preserving our forests, waterways and other natural resources.