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1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*6BthO9ZEAATKdTGz.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><p id="a1f1"><b>Discovering the Dam</b></p><p id="7079">After hiking about three-quarters of a mile on Griffin road, I was once again at the entrance road to Preston Hollow Camp. My mission was to hike past the foundation remains I had discovered on my first visit here and head towards Mill Creek where I would find the remains of the laid up stone damn.</p><figure id="de6b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*wxhKbdzNZ3SiUtse7xdtxg.jpeg"><figcaption>Camp Road/Author Photo</figcaption></figure><p id="c9cd">The road started out straight and then after about a quarter mile started to turn to the left and head up a gentle grade to what looked like a plateau. As I headed around the curve the road ahead was blocked by 3 or 4 downed trees that obscured the old road bed. After climbing through the trees I was able to see the road once again.</p><p id="10c1">I could hear water rushing before I could see Mill Creek. Shortly thereafter the creek came into view. Not long after I saw the creek I spotted the dam. A good sized dam neatly constructed with laid up stones. Wow. History right before my eyes.</p><figure id="4ae6"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*KDv7PjEzGlLhijl3VGyeIg.jpeg"><figcaption>Author Photo</figcaption></figure><p id="a73f">According to Donald Windsor¹, the dam was constructed by NY State in 1932, however, he indicates that on an 1875 map of the area, a saw mill was shown here. Therefore, the dam or a least a portion of it was likely already there. Maybe it was reconstructed once the mill was gone. There is no evidence of a saw mill present at the site.</p><figure id="e684"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*G5omTStWmI1H6gJhDqc1bw.jpeg"><figcaption>Author Photo</figcaption></figure><p id="b045">I lingered at the site for about 15 or 20 minutes, taking photos and exploring. I wanted to cross the creek for a better view of the dam, but the water was running fast and I didn’t want to chance trying to cross.</p><figure id="b30b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Xt2fkNXxWsZGSnT7-y7rtQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Author Photo</figcaption></figure><p id="f43f"><b>Time to Head Home</b></p><p id="b15f">It was getting late so I decided to start back. Back down the camp road I headed. I stopped to explore one more area that appeared to be a raised, leveled off area with remnants of a stone foundation.</p><figure id="5517"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*UvyrHKEvEQgKxoKTyNhZCg.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="9aaf"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*p0RrcW6I0CQGBx9aVzOtPg.jpeg"><figcaption>Author Photos</figcaption></figure><p id="bd47">Perhaps the barracks was here for t

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he approximately 200 men who worked at this camp. As I paused and took some photos, my imagination churned as I thought back to what it would be like in the 1930s. Almost a hundred years ago.</p><p id="7ad9">¹Donald A. Windsor, <i>The Souvenirs of Yesteryear, Exploring Chenango County, New York, Volume 3, 2010, 794.773 WIND V 3</i></p><p id="fc2f"><b>Make Money Writing on Medium and Help Other Writers</b></p><p id="38aa"><i>If you would like to experience Medium for yourself, consider supporting me and thousands of other writers <a href="https://djpfeifer58.medium.com/membership"><b>by signing up for a membership</b>.</a> It only costs $5 per month, it supports us, the writers, greatly, and you will make money with your writing as well. By signing up <a href="https://djpfeifer58.medium.com/membership"><b>with this link</b></a>, you’ll support me directly with a portion of your fee; it won’t cost you more. If you do so, thank you so much!</i></p><div id="2a34" class="link-block"> <a href="https://djpfeifer58.medium.com/has-anyone-tried-ko-fi-d923f706a269"> <div> <div> <h2>Has Anyone Tried Ko-fi?</h2> <div><h3>I am Trying to Understand and Use This Interesting Platform</h3></div> <div><p>djpfeifer58.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="2c57" class="link-block"> <a href="https://djpfeifer58.medium.com/the-trusty-gardener-im-preparing-to-set-up-a-h%C3%BCgelkultur-garden-bed-abc451d80fc3"> <div> <div> <h2>The Trusty Gardener-I’m Preparing to Set Up a Hügelkultur Garden Bed</h2> <div><h3>I Will Give This German Gardening Method a Try</h3></div> <div><p>djpfeifer58.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*PAzIu2X7JEHz_dVN)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="abb5" class="link-block"> <a href="https://djpfeifer58.medium.com/the-trusty-gardener-planting-heirloom-tomato-seeds-part-1-19d4694fd976"> <div> <div> <h2>The Trusty Gardener-Planting Heirloom Tomato Seeds-Part 1</h2> <div><h3>This Year I Planted 8 Varieties! What Was I Thinking?</h3></div> <div><p>djpfeifer58.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*_XqvQDAI4RP2sNHzJ2tMOQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

The Road Less Travelled-More Discoveries at the Preston Hollow Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC) Site

Volume 23-More Discoveries Made at the Site

Welcome back. I first wrote about this CCC Camp site in December after discovering the site while hiking. I had previous knowledge as to the approximate location thanks to a local author, Donald Windsor¹. The CCC Camps have a fascinating history, and this one in particular delt with racial tensions in the summer of 1933.

As a brief refresher, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. This was a national voluntary public work relief program that ran until 1942. It was for unmarried unemployed men ages 17 to 28. The purpose was for employment during the Great Depression, and for the conservation and development of public lands.

According to The History Channel, “By July 1, 1933, 1,433 working camps had been established and more than 300,000 men put to work. It was the most rapid peacetime mobilization in American history.”

Preston Hollow Camp, officially Camp S-68 was the home for Company 235-C, which consisted of about 200 men by July 1, 1933. In case you’re wondering, the C signified colored. At this time in history, segregation was not considered racial discrimination.

During the initial hike, I discovered the entrance road to the camp and some stone foundations of buildings that once stood on the site. However, according to Donald Windsor¹, there was more to discover. There was a stone damn erected at the camp that still partially stands.

Now that the snows have melted and I have gotten my fill of cross-country skiing, I have resumed taking walks/hikes each week. Today brought me back to the McDonough NY Sate forest for further exploration. Another day of outdoor adventure. The weather had a wintry feel as it was cold, and windy with snow and grapple showers all day long.

As you know, I love to get outdoors and explore. Thus one of the reasons I started my publication, Gardening, Birding, and Outdoor Adventure. I was again in my glory as I set out to discover a glimpse of the past.

For additional content, check out my Ko-fi page. New content being added regularly.

Discovering the Dam

After hiking about three-quarters of a mile on Griffin road, I was once again at the entrance road to Preston Hollow Camp. My mission was to hike past the foundation remains I had discovered on my first visit here and head towards Mill Creek where I would find the remains of the laid up stone damn.

The road started out straight and then after about a quarter mile started to turn to the left and head up a gentle grade to what looked like a plateau. As I headed around the curve the road ahead was blocked by 3 or 4 downed trees that obscured the old road bed. After climbing through the trees I was able to see the road once again.

I could hear water rushing before I could see Mill Creek. Shortly thereafter the creek came into view. Not long after I saw the creek I spotted the dam. A good sized dam neatly constructed with laid up stones. Wow. History right before my eyes.

According to Donald Windsor¹, the dam was constructed by NY State in 1932, however, he indicates that on an 1875 map of the area, a saw mill was shown here. Therefore, the dam or a least a portion of it was likely already there. Maybe it was reconstructed once the mill was gone. There is no evidence of a saw mill present at the site.

I lingered at the site for about 15 or 20 minutes, taking photos and exploring. I wanted to cross the creek for a better view of the dam, but the water was running fast and I didn’t want to chance trying to cross.

Time to Head Home

It was getting late so I decided to start back. Back down the camp road I headed. I stopped to explore one more area that appeared to be a raised, leveled off area with remnants of a stone foundation.

Perhaps the barracks was here for the approximately 200 men who worked at this camp. As I paused and took some photos, my imagination churned as I thought back to what it would be like in the 1930s. Almost a hundred years ago.

¹Donald A. Windsor, The Souvenirs of Yesteryear, Exploring Chenango County, New York, Volume 3, 2010, 794.773 WIND V 3

Make Money Writing on Medium and Help Other Writers

If you would like to experience Medium for yourself, consider supporting me and thousands of other writers by signing up for a membership. It only costs $5 per month, it supports us, the writers, greatly, and you will make money with your writing as well. By signing up with this link, you’ll support me directly with a portion of your fee; it won’t cost you more. If you do so, thank you so much!