From: History of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Colorado, Summer 1936; LittletonDistrict and Grand Junction District. Compiled by L.A. Gleyre and C.N. Allerger,Denver, Colorado. Western Newspaper Union.

Includes: sections from pages 78-82 relevant to Company 1848 only. Some adjustment has occurred toprovide clearer photos. SLW, 6/5/08

History of Company 1848, Camp SP-13-C, Morrison, Colo.Company 1848 was organized as a

Drought Relief company at CampDSP-2-C, Durango, Colorado, onJuly 22, 1934, under the command ofCaptain L, W. Varner, Infantry Re-serve. 1st Lieut, R. B. Tatum, Inf.-Res., was assigned as second in com-

mand, and Lieut. R. D. Roadruck,Med. Res., as Camp Surgeon. ThePark Service Personnel consistedof Ed. Teyssier, Superintendent;Earl Mann, Camp Architect; JamesRussel, Park Service Clerk; DavidHickman, Engineer; John Milton,

Blacksmith; William Aitkin, Drafts-man; Hughie Conway, Dan Cummins,Rod Day, George Harther and Leon-ard Zink, Technical Foremen. Thecadre was composed of boys fromTexas and Colorado.

The Work Projects consisted of

Page Seventy-eight

sloping banks, building stone and logbridges, trails, restrooms and picnictables and road repair on ReservoirHill. The camp was located on thishill about one and one-half milesfrom Durango. All the work wasdone in this vicinity, and while someof the work was as far as twentymiles from camp, no side camps wereestablished.

Company 1848 played an impor-tant role in sports and athletics inand around Durango. The companybaseball, football and Softball teamswere recognized for their ability aswell as their sportsmanship. The bas-kethfall team won the Western SlopeFirst Division Championship in 1935.

Aside from performing the assignedwork in a satisfactory manner, theboys found time to demonstrate theirability in other lines. Raymond Cor-razza and Fred Quintana, two mem-bers of a searching party, located thebody of a Pueblo, Colorado, deerhunter who perished after being lostin the hills for several days. Mem-bers of the company also took partin a search for a youth who haddrowned in the Las Animas River.Also, while at this location, membersof the company found a cub bear inthe Cascade Range. The bear wasfound by a member named Shinolaand the bear was christened "Shine"in honor of the discoverer. This bearbecame the camp mascot and was asource of great amusement to thecompany and accompanied it to Mor-rison, Colorado, where, following aninfection incurred in its neck, it be-came ill and had to be disposed of.

On January 11, 1935, Captain Var-ner was succeeded by 2nd Lieut A.R. Wall, Cav. Res., as CompanyCommander. 2nd Lieut Wm. C. Kline,Engr. Res., was appointed second incommand at the same time. On March1, 1935, 1st Lieut. James H. Gray,Med. Res., replaced Lieut. Roadruckas Camp Surgeon. 1st Lieut. Elmer A.Satt, Inf. Res., relieved Lieut. Wallas Company Commander on May 20,1935. Ensign W. E. Webb, USNR,was attached to the company onJune 1, and on July 2 was assignedto the company at Camp SP-14-C,Genesee Mountain, leaving the com-pany without a second in command.

On June 30, 1935, Company 1848was transferred to Camp SP-13-C,Mt. Morrison, Colorado. The movewas accomplished by rail with noth-ing of importance transpiring duringthe trip. The principal reason for

this move was to furnish man powerfor the construction of a huge am-phitheatre in the Park of the RedRocks, near Morrison, Colorado.While the plans and blue-prints werebeing completed and awaiting ap-proval, the boys were assigned tovarious minor projects. These in-cluded the building of picnic tables,parking areas, roads, bridges, ovens,and trails, and banksloping.

On October 5, 1935, Mr. TelferMead reported for duty as Camp Ed-ucational Adviser, and began the or-ganization of an Educational Pro-gram. Classes in English, Arithmetic,High School and College Mathemat-ics, Spelling, Penmanship, and Dei-

sel Engineering were organized andconducted. The members of the com-pany built a log cabin school build-ing 20 feet by 40 feet in dimensions,to be used as a craft shop and schoolroom. This cabin was built by themen in their spare time. Although thework was an educational project, itreceived the splendid cooperation ofthe entire technical staff, and creditfor the major portion of the workshould be given to Supt. Harrisand his staff, due to their interest inthe welfare and education of the boysof this company.

Mr. Richard Remington, a WPAInstructor, replaced Mr. Mead, whowas transferred to SCS-7-C, at Cas-tle Rock, Colorado. Mr. Remingtondid a splendid piece of work. Acamp newspaper, "The Red RocksEcho," was inaugurated as a weeklypublication of the camp and by thecamp, being the work of a class in

Journalism, This paper received ex-cellent rating in the District, as wellas in the Corps Area. Mr. Reming-ton was also responsible for estab-lishing an Arts and Crafts programwith a large number of membersworking in alabaster, leather, metalwork and other handicraft arts. Mr.Remington brought a number of fineentertainments into the camp duringhis duty with the company.

On June 17, 1936, Victor A. File,Educational Adviser of Company1822, CCC Camp SP-14-C, was as-signed to this company as Adviserin addition to his duties with thatcamp, this camp being his base camp.An educational program is now in

the process of organization under hisleadership.

With the present company person-nel, work and study do not occupyall the time of the members. Sportsand play are means of keeping themen contented and in good health.The Softball team is a member of theState Amateur Softball Associationof Colorado. These games started June1, 1936 and to date the company hasmade tin excellent showing. In box-ing, Arthur Garcia won the cham-pionship in the 135-pound class inthe Elk's Tournament, in Denver,during January of 1936. In the Gold-en Gloves Boxing Tournament,sponsored by the V. F. W. in June,1936, Edward Smith won the cham-pionship in the 147-pound class.

A side line in recreation is educa-tional trips. These trips are sponsoredby Capt. Harold R. Booth, Inf. Res.,Sub-District Commander. Being lo-

Seventy-nine

Reading Left to Right: Eugene Streich, Foreman; William S. Nelson, Fore-man; J. E. Cummins, Foreman; Andrew J. Collins, Engineer;Joseph

Shaball, Foreman; Herschel J. Wright, CampCommander, James Solan,Foreman; Albert McG-uire, Foreman; John E. Harris, Superintendent

cated only fifteen miles west ofDenver, the opportunities for suchtrips are greatly enlarged. Many boyscoming from the Western Slope aregiven an opportunity to become ac-quainted with the Capital City oftheir state.

In order to bring out more clearlythe value of study and preparationfor future vocational activity, it isfitting to refer to 2nd Lieut, H. J.Wright, FA-Res., the CommandingOfficer of this company. Lieut.Wright advanced to his present posi-tion from that of enrollee by study,

perserverance and strict attentionto all phases of his duties. Thereare plenty of opportunities in theCCC as wel l as ou t in civ i l ianlife for those who are willing to pre-pare themselves for a specific job.

On May 9, 1936, all other projectsat Camp SP-13-C were cancelled sothat all man-days of work and fundsavailable could be expended on thebuilding of the amphitheatre in thePark of the Red Rocks. The buildingof this amphitheatre is one of thelargest projects of its kind ever to beundertaken by the CCC.

Considerable research work wasdone before the plans could be laiddown and the initial work started.Ruins of the old theatres of Greeceand Rome were studied in detail sothat this work might be a finer andmore exacting structure. The floorspace of the stage covers 12,000square feet. Fifteen thousand feet aredevoted to floor space which will ac-commodate over 10,000 people. Thestage structure is to be Monolithic,containing ten carloads of cement and800 tons of quarried stone. There

will be approximately 90,000 squarefeet of flagstone laid. The stage it-self is the roof of a building 80 feetwide and 170 feet long, which con-tains complete dressing rooms, toiletfacilities, etc. The orchestra pit issufficiently spacious to hold a com-plete symphony orchestra. The esti-mated cost of the lighting system is$14,000. The control room will belocated under the lower tier of seats,such as is found in only one othertheatre to date, that of the Rockefel-ler Theatre in New York City. Thepresent work on the stage unit alone

is scheduled to be finished by Octo-ber 1, 1936. It is estimated that twoyears will be required for completionof the entire project. The project alsoincludes the building of parking areasto accommodate 4,000 automobiles,and a water plant for sewage dis-posal. The grading for the seats re-quires the removal of 25,000 cubicyards of rock and dirt on a three toone slope. The natural setting of thetheatre is such that no artificialmeans of amplification will be need-ed. It would be hard to put intowords the beauty of this setting. Oneither side of the auditorium sheercliffs of stratified sandstone rise to aheight of 200 feet. Back of the stageis a magnificent natural back-dropthe height of a four-story building.And behind this the land slopes awayfor 1,000 feet toward the high pla-teaus to the east.

The building of this theatre is nota steam-shovel job. The work is be-ing done by man-power. After theexcavation is finished most of thework will require skilled labor. Herethe boys of the company will be re-

paid for the long hours spent withpick and shovel. The fellows will begiven an opportunity to learn a tradefrom actually doing the work. Just afew of the jobs where skilled laboris required are: stone masonry, elec-trical engineering, cement and car-pentry work, surveying, blasting, andlandscaping. The members of thiscompany are not just working for adollar a day for the Government—they are building an amphitheatrethat will stand for centuries, and ingenerations to come this work willremain a symbol of advancement ofthe western culture of today. How-ever, the builders will not have towait for time to show the value andutility of their work. This theatrewill stand out before the eyes of thepublic of today. The builders willhave the pleasure of witnessing playsand performances given on the stagethat they have helped to build. Thisamphitheatre will be an enduringmonument to the Civilian Conserva-tion Corps in Colorado for years tocome.

A few words about the personnelof Company 1848. The enrollmenthas, for the most part, consisted ofColorado boys, and at the presenttime more than 95 per cent of themembers are natives of this state.

While this company did not passits second birthday until the 22ndof July, 1936, and is compara-tively young as companies go, it hasmade an excellent record both atwork and at play. The members ofthis company have a fine esprit decorps. This is a natural outgrowthof the sympathetic understanding onthe part of the officers and technicalservice personnel.

The education level of this com-pany is unusually high. With a pres-ent company strength of 155 mem-bers, there are approximately fortyeighth-grade graduates, only fifty be-low the eighth grade level, and sev-enty above the eighth grade level.Such illiteracy as now exists is be-ing coped with, and it is the inten-tion of those charged with the edu-cational responsibility to raise thepresent levels considerably. An in-teresting factor that will illustrate thevalue of educational equipment forthe individual is noted in the mendischarged to accept employmentfrom this company in the past month.Of twenty-two discharged to acceptemployment, seventeen were above

Page Seventy-nine

Site of Amphitheatre in Red Rocks—Work Project of Co. 1848

the eighth grade level and five belowthe eighth grade level. There is a realsermon in the foregoing statement,and one that may well be pointed towith pardonable pride. We close onthis note. Our firm belief is that thepredominant aim of conservation inthe Civilian Conservation Corps isthat of conserving the youth of theNation by teaching them the valueof conservation of their own re-sources as well as the natural re-sources of our country. The aim ofthis command is to return the boysenrolled to their communities, at theexpiration of their service, mentally,morally and physically better fortheir service in the CCC. That thisis in some measure being accom-plished, is attested to by the fine re-lationship that exists between themembers of the company and the citi-

zens of Morrison. The boys enjoyuated just on the edge of the city, sothis close proximity tests the moral andsocial fiber of the boys of the camp.

Camp SP-13-C, Morrison, Colo.

Roster of Company 1848, Camp SP-13-C, Morrison, Colo.

the highest regard of this communityand are welcome with sincere cor-diality at all public functions thattake place there. The camp is sit-

ArmyHerschel J. Wright, 2nd Lt. FA-

Res................................. Oklahoma City, Okla.Samuel Lilienthal, M. D., Contract

Physician......................New York City, N. Y.Victor A. File, Educational Ad-viser ............................................... Denver, Colo.

Technical PersonnelJohn E. Harris, Project Superin-

tendent .........................................Denver. Colo.Andrew J. Collins, Engineer...............................

...................................................... Denver, Colo.J. E. Cummins, Foreman....................................

__. .................................................. Denver, Colo.Albert McGuire, Foreman...................................

........................................................ Denver, Colo.William S. Nelson, Foreman.................................

...................................................... Denver, Colo.Joseph Shaball, Foreman......................................

...................................................... Denver, Colo.James Solan, Foreman.............. Denver, Colo.Eugene Streich, Foreman...................................

.......................................................Denver, Colo.

ENROLLED PERSONNELLeaders

Anderson, Edwin A......................Pierce, Colo.Dowell, Clayburn B................. Durango, Colo.Jones, Kenneth R- ................... Layafette, Colo.Larson, Edwin.......................... Palisade, Colo.McLoughlin, Louis.................................................

........................................... Thermopolis, Wyo.Minor, Paul E............................... Denver, Colo.Reynolds, Clarence.................................................

......................................Grand Junction, Colo.Robbins, N. F...................Mt. Morrison, Colo.Wilson, Robert L.......................... Lark, TexasYamaguchi, Fred H................................................

...................................... Pagosa Springs, Colo.Assistant Leaders

Anderson, Carl............................... Ignacio, Colo.Ausenbaugh, Winston C........................................

...................................................... Denver, Colo.Brack, Ralph..........................................Brie, Colo.Bliven, Leo p................................... Yuma, Colo.Brown, Lewis. .......................... Longmont, Colo.Clark, James...................................Denver, Colo.Davis, Francis.......................... Durango, Colo.Girard, Thomas.......................... Durango, Colo.Girardi, Percy..............................Durango, Colo.Gutfelder, Alfred....................... Louisville, Colo.Knight, Thomas .......................... Alamosa, Colo.Kreitzer, Sylvester .......................Greeley, Colo.Meyer, John ..............................Del Norte, Colo.Nuanes, Manuel ...........................Trinidad, Colo.Payne, Malcolm ..........................Durango, Colo.Yates, Lavern E................................Wray, Colo.

MembersAllison, Albert L. ................Nederland, Colo.Archuleta, Manuel...................................................

.....................................Pagosa Springs, Colo.Atencio, Demas ....................Walsenburg, Colo.Ballinger, Edward.......................Greeley, Colo.Barks, Willard S................. Las Animas, Colo.Barkley, Sandeford ...................... Ignacio, Colo.Barnard, Arleigh C................... Boulder, Colo.Bauer, Barnett.........................Del Norte, Colo.Benavidez, Dick.......................Longmont, Colo.Bennett, Orval C ...............................Kirk, Colo.Benns, William H ..........................Denver, Colo.Blea, Max .....................................Antonito, Colo.Bordeau, Maurice.....................................................

..................................Colorado Springs, Colo.Bracegirdle, Ralph ............................ Erie, Colo.Bradfield, Bill .............................. Boulder, Colo.Britt, Fred.................................... Denver, Colo.Card, Arthur................................. Dacona, Colo.Carney, Leo D............................. Denver, Colo.Caton, Joe .................................. Berthoud, Colo.Cerniwey, Clarence .................Silverton, Colo.Chapman, Norman........................ Denver, Colo.Chavez, Raymond................. Del Norte, Colo.Condreay, Clarence L.................... Evans, Colo.Corrazza, Raymond ................ Durango, Colo.Cowger, Edwin......................Mt. Morrison, Colo.Cramer, Elden W......................Durango, Colo.Cranmer, Clarence E ..................... Nunn, Colo.Davey, Charles E .......................... Denver, Colo.Davis, Earnest.............................Greeley, Colo.Day, Aubrey H..............................Denver, Colo.Dennis, Claude................................ Evans, Colo.Dilka, Jack...................................Greeley, Colo.Dow, David................................ Durango, Colo.Dwinelle, Paul V....................... Boulder, Colo.Ellis, Russell.................................... Evans, Colo.Fisher, Joe ............................... Longmont, Colo.Floyd, Clayton................................ Pueblo, Colo.Flury, Leo E ...................................... Yuma, Colo.Garcia, Arthur .............................. Denver, Colo.Garcia, Louis.................................. Denver, Colo.Giese, Charles ................................Greeley, Colo.Gordon, Joe L._............................ Boulder, Colo.Gustafson, Edwin A................Silverton, Colo.Haffner, William ...............Wellington, Colo.Harris, Everett L ......................... Denver, Colo.Hathaway, Don J...............Wheatridge, Colo.Haun, Claud, Jr..........................Greeley, Colo.Hill, Emerson Ei...... Ft. Morgan, Colo.Hill, Hubert M................................Wray, Colo.Hogue, Jack E..............Mt. Morrison, Colo.Howell, Eston L .......................Crawford, Colo.Hunter, Lawrence ........................ Denver, Colo.Johannesson, Carl............. Longmont, Colo.Jones, David D ............................Ardmore, Colo.Johns, Leland D............................. Yuma, Colo.

Kern, Edward ...................................... Ault, Colo.Lemon, Arthur...............................Durango, Colo.Limpus, Carl J.................................Denver, Colo.Long, Lester ................................Frederick, Colo.Lopez, Rudolfo..............................Antonito, Colo.Lovato, Emilio ............................ Saguache, Colo.McAfee, Cleston .....................................Erie, Colo.McCoy, Calvin ................................ Greeley, Colo.Manzanares, Elias ................................................................................................Pagosa Springs, Colo.Martinez, Ancelmo...............................................................................................Pagosa Springs, Colo.Martinez, Charley ................................................................................................Pagosa Springs, Colo.Martinez, Earnest................. Del Norte, Colo.Martinez, Fares ........................... Durango, Colo.Mattson, Russel..............................Denver, Colo.Mabray, Kenneth........................... Beggs, Okla.Merrick, Marvin V........................ Denver, Colo.Mestas, Alfonso.................................................................................................Pagosa Junction, Colo.Metz, Charles W............................ Denver, Colo.Mitchell, Dale E............................ Hollis, Okla.Moore, Alva J................................ Denver, Colo.Morris, Jay A..................................... Wray, Colo.Nelson, Darold.............................Greeley, Colo.Nettleblad, Gust H...............Cedaredge, Colo.Olguin, Celestino........................... Denver, Colo.Orcutt, Noah W................................ Laird, Colo.Osborne, Allen J............................. Denver, Colo.Parmenter, Maurice.................... Durango, Colo.Patterson, Irvin B..........................Denver, Colo.Penland, Grant.......................... Longmont, Colo.Real, Elaine ....................................Phoenix, Ariz.Reames, James I.......................... Ignacio, Colo.Redding, Charles R ...................... Denver, Colo.Reed, Aldine..................................Greeley, Colo.Reed, Byron H....................................Wray, Colo.Ristau, Eric ..................................... Denver, Colo.Ritchey, Guy S.............................. Denver, Colo.Roach, Horace Q.............................Laird, Colo.Robins, John ................................... Morris, Okla.Samora, Merce.........................................................:....................................... Pagosa Junction, Colo.Sandoval, Jesse.............................Denver, Colo.Santistevan, Dan............................Arboles, Colo.Schaaf, Eirnest............................. Durango, Colo.Schnoor, Jake..................................Greeley, Colo.Scott, Lyman ....................................Golden, Colo.Sedey, Frank.................................... Rugby, Colo.Sherrick, Trenton...........................Denver, Colo.Silva, Ignacio............................... Durango, Colo.Silva, Joe S.................................... Ignacio, Colo.Silva, Raymond ........................... Durango, Colo.Silvis, Byron..................................Greeley, Colo.Smith, Donald............................... Greeley, Colo.Smith, Edward ............................... Greeley, Colo.Smith, Rowland........................... Greeley, Colo.Smother, Amos ......................................Erie, Colo.

Snyder, Everett C----------Nunn, Colo,Surmont, Aaron--------- Boulder, Colo.Swallow, James _____ Durango, Colo.Swartwood, Jim P______ Wray, Colo.Turner, Leonard _____ Arboles, Colo.Urban, Richard________Denver, Colo.

Valdez, Elipio ______ Antonito, Colo.Valencia, Pete----------- Durango, Colo.Valentine, Audrey—Del Norte, Colo.Vendegna, Pasquel S—Denver, Colo.Vialpando, Raymond---------------------_________ Pagosa Springs, Colo.

Vigil, Jose M __________ Denver, Colo.Villegas, Joe --------------- Denver, Colo.Wages, Robert C------------ Laird, Colo.Wheeler, Raymond H.Boulder, Colo.White, Jasper A______ Greeley, Colo.Winkleblack, Ed F.-_Weldona, Colo.