Program looks at CCC in Glacier Park

The Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners history organization presents a program Monday, Oct. 17, on “Depression Era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Glacier National Park” by presenter David R. Butler of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The CCC had a great impact on Glacier Park. It was one of the most successful of all of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal programs. The Corps was heavily involved in creating and improving the infrastructure of the park. Thousands of men worked on projects inside Glacier over the course of seven years. Each camp had about 200 men. Most summers saw about 1,600 men spread out in camps in every major drainage and region of the Park. CCC camp life, the nature of the work carried out by the CCC boys, and structures built in the Park will be examined during the program.

Butler is a retired distinguished professor of geography with 37 years in the Texas State University system. He was a "Gearjammer" (red bus driver) in Glacier during his college days in the summers and has conducted research there since 1975. He has written two books on Glacier National Park, including “Fire Lookouts of Glacier National Park” and his newest, “The Civilian Conservation Corps in Glacier National Park,” has been recently published and will be available for sale at the meeting.

Meet at the Northwest Montana History Museum, 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell, at 6 p.m. for Grab’n’ Greet and raffle and book signings. No dinner will be available. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. Seating will be available free to all Posse members and youths 16 and under, and $5 for all non-members. No reservations will be required but seating will be limited; so come early. Call 406-309-0938 with any questions.