CCC Camp Buckingham: Happy 80th Anniversary
July 17, 2013 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of Buckingham County’s CCC Camp P-56, Company 1367, located at the foot of Buckingham County’s Willis Mountain.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a significant and successful economic stimulus program created during the initial months of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first administration.
Camp Buckingham, as it was commonly called, had operated for nearly one year when, on June 7, 1934, it was “reconstituted” as a “Negro” camp. Until the camp’s closing in 1937, the men of this all African American Corps contributed greatly to the building of roads and bridges in Buckingham, as well as fighting forest fires. 
Here’s a big “thank you” to all the men of the CCC. You made a huge difference!
For the whole story, please read my article in this month’s Buckingham Beacon.
My grandfather James G. Spencer, along with other members of my family, climbed the wooden fire tower atop Willis’ Mountain on a Sunday afternoon in 1944 or 1946. I was 5 or 6 at the time, and remember how “open” the tower was, and scary. Holding Grandpa’s hand and the railing with my other hand, up we went. He pointed out several places, but all I remember was Spear’s Mountain. I already could recognize that, for when, on the two hour drive from our home to “Dixie”, Spear’s would appear in the windshield, we knew we were close!
Mary Carolyn, thanks for sharing your memory of the Willis Mountain fire tower and Spear’s Mountain!