OCR Text |
Show Volume IX Issue IX THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 9 February 15, 2004 Member of C.C.C. Reflects on Development of Snowbasin Note: In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed to create a Civilian Conservation Corps to be “used in simple work . . . more, important, however, than the material gains will be the moral and spiritual value of such work.” This resulted in a public works program that put over three million young men and adults to work during the Great Depression of the 1930s and 1940s. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) made immeasurable contributions to the development and maintenance of trails, roads, camps, and building in the Ogden Valley area. The Civilian Conservation Corp’s winter sports related contributions include the original Snowbasin Lodge, assisting in installing the first ski lift at the Snowbasin Ski Lodge, clearing trees and brush, and helping build the first road leading from Pineview Reservoir to Snowbasin. In August of 2003, Snowbasin Ski Area received a remarkable letter, with photographs, from one of the members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Johnnie Peacock. Mr. Peacock, a delightful gentleman now residing in Alabama, has captured in his prose, a moment in time, of the experiences of working for the Civilian Conservation Corps. To Whom It May Concern: I Johnnie Peacock of Barnwell South Carolina, along with two hundred other young men of the same area, was stationed in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Pineview Reservoir in Huntsville, Utah for one year in 1940. We were called the C.C.C. We worked on sevJohnnie Peacock eral projects, including the Snowbasin Ski Lodge. We cleared the Mt. Ogden ski area of trees and brush. We helped build the first road leading from Pineview Reservoir to Snowbasin. We also helped install the first ski lift at Snowbasin Ski Lodge. We built a record number of out-door toilets because we did not have running water, and they had to be elevated five or six feet. We had a record snow fall that year; 521 inch drifts in some places. The going was tough, but we got the job finished. I may add the road leading up to Snowbasin was a tough job. You bet we had to use dynamite and blast the mountain- side just off Highway 39 at Pineview Reservoir and Ogden Canyon. We helped on several projects; including rescuing lost deer hunters. We had a side camp up at Monte Cristo. We built a drift fence 17 miles long, also set traps to catch coyotes. We worked on Girl Scout Camps, and did maintenance work on various types of projects. We were in the process of Cliff Langdale starting another road leading from Snowbasin to connect with Highway 39 to Huntsville when winter set in. Of course, we did install several culverts for the roadway bed at this time. I am sure that road has been finished by this time. Snowbasin Ski Lodge was quite a project, and I am proud to have had the privilege of working on this project. My fellowmen, the C.C.C. camp played a great part in making a lot pf parks and recreation areas possible. I think the United States Government should restart another C.C.C., and get the young people off the street and back to some useful work projects. While in Ogden, Utah, I had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Browning at her ranch out near Huntsville. She would come to the C.C.C. camp every Sunday and bring peanut butter and a pack of cigarettes for all the C.C. boys; I thought that was real nice of her. She would have the cowhands dress up in cowboy uniforms, take us for a ride in her big cart up Red Williams in the forest, and take pictures of us every Sunday. I am sending a picture of myself and some of my friends. I am at the top of the picture on the right . . . I imagine there have been many changes The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call Shanna at 745-2688, or Jeannie at 745-2879 if you have material that you would be willing to share. made in and a r o u n d Huntsville, Utah. Our camp was on the banks of Pineview Reservoir. I want to mention our Forest Rangers, also Mr. Earl Bedain and Mr. Rich England were our fine supervisors. Of course, we had a group of Forest Rangers; I did not know Jessie Bailey them all. We had 22 dump trucks and ten 2½ ton stake body trucks. We also had a number of heavy equipment bulldozers, road graters, and rock crushers. Everyone played a part in making Snowbasin Ski Lodge a wonderful place of recreation and reality. I hope some day I will be able to return to Utah and visit some of the sights I helped to create. I think Utah is one of the beautiful states of America with 26 state parks. I am sending this picture by my good friend Mr. Carrall Creech, and wife. He was stationed at Pineview with me during my stay in Utah. I will close for the time. Thank you very, very much. May God richly bless you, your family, and loved ones, and staff. Good night and God bless. Your friend in Christ, Johnnie Peacock, Phenix City, Alabama Historical Photo Civilian Conservation Corps in Ogden Valley In the 1930s and 1940s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) made immeasurable contributions to the development and maintenance of trails, roads, camps, and building in the Ogden Valley area. Photo courtesy of Johnnie Peacock of Phenix City, Alabama. BRING YOUR ID - WE WASH FOR FREE Happy Birthday 16 and older 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. For Details Call Kristan Kap at 781-0855 2612 N. Valley Junction Dr. Eden MONDAY NIGHT IS FAMILY NIGHT! First 2 tickets $15 each $5 for up to 6 family members 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. rant Restau ons s s Le entals R St. Florence Catholic Community MASSES: Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. WEEKDAY MASS: Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. followed by The Rosary Phone: 745 - LORD Huntsville, Utah PASTORAL ADMINISTRATOR: Fr. Charles Cummins 399-9531 RECONCILIATION: 30 minutes before Mass Come celebrate with us God’s good news. Intersection of Highway 39 & Snowbasin Road TuesdNaigyht Day or 2 for 1 HOURS OF OPERATION DAYS Tues.-Wed.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $20 Fri.-Sat.-Sun.-Holidays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $20 NIGHTS Tues. thru Sat. 3 p.m.- 10 p.m. (801) 745-3511 $15 |