USDA officials at the Cherokee National Forest announced there will be a public open house at the historic Tellico Ranger Station to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The 1930s era facility built by the CCC will be open to visitors throughout much of the day on June 27.

Former CCC enrollees and relatives of enrollees who attend the open house are encouraged to bring any CCC memorabilia they may have so others can see and share in their memories. The open house will be held from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 27 at the Tellico Ranger Station. Visitors may come and go as they please. Employees will be stationed throughout the facility to provide information and respond to questions regarding the history of the facility and the work of the CCC.

From 1933 to 1942, CCC enrollees worked in National Forests planting trees, building roads, fighting wild land fires and constructing administrative and recreational facilities, many of which are still used and enjoyed today.

The CCC constructed and/or planted the majority of the national forest infrastructure in the Southeastern U.S.  More than half of all National Forest land in the Southeast was purchased during the CCC era. These mostly cut-over and burned-over lands could not have been restored and protected without the dedication and labor of the CCC enrollees.

For more information, contact the Tellico Ranger Station at (423) 253-8400.