In the early 1930s, hundreds of thousands of teens were riding the rails. They faced many dangers, including cold nights, rough police, and hunger. Death and injury were always one slip away. In spite of these risks, teens and adults continued to use freight trains as a source of free transportation as they traveled across the US to find work.

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     Black teens faced additional dangers due to the racist attitudes of Whites. Lynchings and mob violence were used to terrorize Black travelers, and to prevent them from working in certain towns. 

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     The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) got its start in the Shenandoah Mountain-town of Luray, Virginia. Each worker was paid $30 a month, and $25 was automatically sent to their family. The young workers also received free food and housing. 

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     The CCC offered a safer alternative to riding the rails, and the income was guaranteed. Projects included planting trees and building roads and trails that are still in use today. Many US National Parks owe their preservation to CCC projects.

 

     Blacks and Whites worked alongside one another in integrated camps, but thousands of Native Americans were assigned to segregated, Native-only camps. In addition to working, there were opportunities to finish high school, perform concerts, and participate in sports. 

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Sources

 

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/rails-added-obstacles/

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https://youtu.be/0umqV-DlQ8c

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https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/rails-introduction/

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https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-civilian-conservation-corps.htm

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https://www.pbs.org/video/oregon-experience-civilian-conservation-corps/ (play at 11:48)

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​https://corpsnetwork.org/blogs/the-ccc-indian-division-native-americans-in-the-civilian-conservation-corps/

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Keywords

Great Depression, CCC, Trains, Hobos, Migrant Workers, National Parks, New Deal

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