Nebraska Historical Marker: Camp Platte

Nebraska Historical Marker: Camp Platte

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Location

Intersection of Monastery Rd & 325th St, Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska

View this marker's location 41.555029, -97.349262

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Marker Text

In October 1934 Camp Platte was established near here by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs designed to promote economic recovery during the Great Depression. Its goal was to provide jobs and vocational training for unemployed men between age 18 and 25. U.S. Army officers administered the camps.

While most CCC camps enrolled young men, Camp Platte’s Company 1782V consisted of World War I veterans and a few Spanish-American War veterans whose average age was 46. Throughout the 1930s the men planted trees and grasses and built terraces and check dams to help control soil erosion in Platte and Colfax counties. The camp was built near the Groteluschen farm primarily due to a nearby artesian well, which was credited for the excellent health the middle-aged veterans enjoyed. Recognizing the men’s previous military service, the camp newsletter was named the “Veterans Company Chronicle.” On July 1, 1941, Company 1782V was transferred to Madison, Nebraska, and Camp Platte was closed. The CCC was disbanded in 1942 following U.S. entry into World War II.

Marker program

See Nebraska Historical Marker Program for more information.