CCC Camp

From "Lexington" by Mary Wilson and Sharon Y. Asher, published sometime after 1975.

THE CCC CAMP OF LEXINGTON

The Civilian Conservation Corp, created by the Federal government to provide jobs during the Depression of the 1930's, had a camp in Lexington during 1935-1938.

Company 2585, originally organized on August 6, 1935 in Madison, moved to Lexington on August 15 of that year. Barracks were built on the English farm and participants in the program were driven to nearby farms to work. They cleared land, built fences, and performed various other work.

Lexington gained several new residents when some of these men decided to make the town their home. Among these were Frank Hounschell and Ed Russell who originally came from Kentucky to work at the camp as cooks. Frank Hounschell married Freda Lowry of Lexington and Ed Russell married Edith Renschler.

Several Lexington residents participated in the CCC program, although they lived at home. These included Denver MacDonald, Floyd Robbins, Bill and Grant Bright.

Each man was paid $30.00 per month with clothes and meals provided. Usually $25.00 of this was mailed home.

The Company left Lexington in 1938.

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