Times were difficult and jobs were scarce. Owners of farms and homes became renters when bank payments fell behind. The country, the entire world, was in the middle of a difficult transition.
Young men moved to the city — seeking work. Some ended up in bread lines, sleeping in hobo jungles, or drifting from one place to another.
The lucky ones found a government job — especially the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The work was difficult – pick and shovel, bucket and wheelbarrow — as they cleared roads and build bridges and shelters and retaining walls on public land. They built to last. They learned discipline and teamwork along with new skills. A few years later, many of these young men would use these skills as they fought to preserve our freedom.
Honoring the CCC worker at Babler State Park near St. Louis, MO
You will see their work in many state and national parks in the bridges, roads, trails, and stone buildings.
If you have not researched this already, look for the information about the CCC boys at the UW Madison Arboretum. There are many websites on the Internet.