**

Parks for Texas: Enduring Landscapes of the New Deal** by James Wright Steely is a comprehensive exploration of the remarkable work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Texas during the Great Depression. Through a combination of historical narrative and stunning photography, Steely brings to life the transformative impact the CCC had on the state's natural and cultural landscapes.

The book begins by setting the stage for the CCC's arrival in Texas, with vivid descriptions of the Dust Bowl and the economic devastation that gripped the state during the 1930s. Steely then delves into the history of the CCC itself, its mission, and its unique role in providing relief and employment to thousands of young men.

The heart of the book is dedicated to detailed accounts of the CCC's numerous projects across Texas. Steely provides fascinating insights into the construction of state parks, including Big Bend, Palo Duro Canyon, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. He also explores the CCC's role in soil conservation, flood control, and wildlife management, highlighting the lasting impact of their work on the state's ecosystems.

Beyond the physical landscapes, Steely also examines the cultural legacy of the CCC in Texas. He tells the stories of the men who served in the camps, their experiences, and the bonds they formed. He also explores the architectural and artistic contributions of the CCC, such as the iconic Civilian Conservation Corps cabins that can still be found in many of the state's parks.

**Parks for Texas: Enduring Landscapes of the New Deal** is a captivating and informative read for anyone interested in Texas history, the environment, or the legacy of the CCC. Steely's meticulously researched narrative and stunning photography combine to create a vivid and unforgettable account of the transformative power of collaboration and conservation.

State parks across Texas offer a world of opportunities for recreation and education. Yet few park visitors or park managers know the remarkable story of how this magnificent state park system came into being during the depths of the Great Depression in the 1930s. Drawing on archival records and examining especially the political context of the New Deal, James Wright Steely here provides the first comprehensive history of the founding and building of the Texas state park system. Steely's history begins in the 1880s with the movement to establish parks around historical sites from the Texas Revolution. He follows the fits-and-starts progress of park development through the early 1920s, when Governor Pat Neff envisioned the kind of park system that ultimately came into being between 1933 and 1942. During the Depression an amazing cast of personalities from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Lyndon Johnson led, followed, or obstructed the drive to create this state park system. The New Deal federal-state partnerships for depression relief gave Texas the funding and personnel to build 52 recreational parks under the direction of the National Park Service. Steely focuses in detail on the activities of the Civilian Conservation Corps, whose members built parks from Caddo Lake in the east to the first park improvements in the Big Bend out west. An appendix lists and describes all the state parks in Texas through 1945, while Steely's epilogue brings the parks' story up to the present.

Author: Steely, James Wright
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Illustration: N
Language: ENG
Title: Parks for Texas: Enduring Landscapes of the New Deal
Pages: 00000 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2010-07-05
SKU-13/ISBN: 9780292722378
Category: History : United States - State & Local - General