Event showcases LaHood, CCC

The family of Shadan LaHood, Lewis and Clark Caverns employees, and local residents came together last Saturday to discuss history.

The event not only discussed the rich history of the Civilian Conservation Corp and their role in the park, but also the role LaHood played by housing the young conservationists starting in 1935 at LaHood Park.

Among those in attendance was LaHood's granddaughter Maureen Watt, who brought numerous items to display.

Watt said her grand father provided the land for CCC members to stay on, and she has kept the items passed on to her so she can be a keeper of history.

Lewis and Clark Caverns Park Naturalist Derrick Rathe gave a detailed history of the CCC and their work at Lewis and Clark Caverns. He said their work on the road and in the caverns makes what the trip into the park what it is today. Rathe said from 1935 to 1941 there were 210 CCC members working at the Caverns, and what they did was not easy. He said they would work six days a week and made just $30 a month. He said they would send $25 back to their families.

Park officials also used the event as a way to help improve their records by reaching out for identifying CCC members in photos.