More than 40 attend dedication

of Blanding's CCC Monument

(Published in August 28, 1996 issue (Vol.3, No. 26) of Blue Mountain Panorama)
 

Frank "Bo" Montella stands by CCC Monument in Blanding that he worked to build.  (Frank Montella photo)

    Following a brief opening prayer by former CCC volunteer George Marian, San Juan County Commissioner Bill Redd addressed the audience. Redd recalled his experiences with CCC volunteers, and several of their accomplishments in San Juan County. According to Redd, CCC volunteers constructed 3 bridges, built truck trails, 58 check dams that provided much needed erosion control, and killed 232,410 prairie dogs, among other projects.

    Redd expressed his appreciation for all who served in the Blanding CCC Camp and elsewhere.

    "Most of the boys in the CCC also fought in World War II," Redd noted. "All gave some, some gave all. I salute the CCC for defending the things America stands for. And on my own behalf for what I learned from the CCC."

    Former Blanding CCC volunteer Bo Montella, whose efforts resulted in the construction and dedication of the CCC Monument, told the audience that the government should bring back the CCC program for the youth of today.

    "But if we killed prairie dogs today, they'd give us the electric chair," he joked. "I hope and pray that our young citizens of today could get the same opportunity we got in the 1930's. If these same camps were established today we could eliminate juvenile crime."

    The Blanding CCC Camp encompassed a four-block area in northwest Blanding, along 300 West and 400 West. It was the home for CCC Company 3241-D.G.9 from 1933 until 1942, with a compliment of 250 men. It was one of the 60-70 CCC camps throughout Utah, and was the last CCC camp in Utah to be disbanded.

    Montella told the audience that he and other CCC volunteers traveled to Casper, Wyoming in the early 1940's to bring back eight buffalo. These animals were taken to the Hanksville area and released. Today the buffalo herd in the Henry Mountains, near Hanksville, is one of the only remaining wild herds in the U.S.

He also told the audience that many former CCC volunteers, from across the country, have returned to Blanding.
   "They always want to know, 'is Blanding still out of beer?' That was sixty years ago and it's still the first thing they say when they come to visit," he said.

    In closing, Montella commented, "all CCC's have grateful remembrances of this area and what they accomplished. It's only fitting that we gather here with deepest appreciation in our hearts."

    The CCC Monument is located at the corner of 400 North and 400 West, in Blanding on the property of Donald Evans, who allowed the monument to be built there.
 
 

CCC Reservoir completed on Lime Ridge, supervised by Floyd Nielson.  (Kathleen Kimmerle Redd photo)