The Civilian Conservation Corps Camp at Cape Perpetua
In 1933, the Great Depression gripped the United States, leaving over 13 million Americans—nearly one-third of the workforce—unemployed. Young men faced particularly dire circumstances, as many were untrained, unskilled, and lacking formal education, with little hope for the future.
That same year, shortly after Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s inauguration, Congress passed a transformative act establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This initiative aimed to address two urgent needs: providing meaningful conservation work for unemployed young men and restoring the country’s depleted natural resources through public works projects.
Establishing the CCC
The CCC accepted male U.S. citizens aged 18 to 25 who were unemployed, unmarried, and of good character and physical condition. Enrollees received uniforms, housing, meals, and $30 per month—$25 of which was sent home to support their families. Enrollments lasted six months, with the possibility of extension.
The CCC’s impact soon reached Oregon’s remote central coast. In June 1933, Company 963 set up a temporary tent camp on Cape Perpetua’s south side near Cape Creek. Construction began on a permanent camp, known as Camp Cape Creek, on land west of today’s Cape Perpetua Visitor Center.
The Camp and Its Contributions
By April 1933, plans were already in motion to establish a major CCC camp within the Siuslaw National Forest near Cape Perpetua. The chosen site, two miles south of Yachats along Cape Creek and just east of Highway 101, saw initial construction by 25 local recruits. Upon completion, the camp housed 200–250 workers, remaining active until the CCC’s dissolution during World War II.
Camp facilities included four bunkhouses, a mess hall, a recreation room, an infirmary, and various equipment buildings. While none of these structures remain, foundation slabs, steps, and retaining walls can still be seen today, with interpretive information available to visitors.
Under the supervision of the U.S. Forest Service, the CCC workers at Camp Cape Creek left a lasting legacy. They constructed a recreational campground, forest roads, and an extensive trail network, as well as the famous West Shelter at Cape Perpetua’s summit. Built from stone, the shelter offers breathtaking views of the Oregon coastline and remains a favorite spot for whale watching. Workers also developed parking at Devil’s Churn and planted vast areas of forest between the coast and the Willamette Valley.
A Legacy of Hope and Conservation
The CCC at Cape Perpetua exemplified the program’s dual mission: alleviating economic despair and conserving natural resources. The projects completed by these young men not only shaped the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area but also provided them with skills, purpose, and a path toward a brighter future.