Mt. Airy Forest - The History of the African American Civilian Conservation Corps

Mt. Airy Forest is the largest Cincinnati Park at 1,459 acres. It has numerous hiking trails, a handful of picnic shelters, an arboretum, a lake, lots of wildlife and more! But did you know that Mt. Airy Forest wasn't always a thriving natural area? It was originally cleared for agricultural use and it took years to reforest it, but the reforestation efforts were successful thanks to generations who came before us. Let's take a look at how this land was brought back to life and turned into a park that hundreds of visitors enjoy year-round. 

Mt. Airy Forest was established in 1911, but it wasn't until the Great Depression, in 1933, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt would create several programs to help employ people to build roads, trails and structures. Mt. Airy Forest showed lots of growth during the Great Depression years, thanks to federally funded projects. One of those projects was the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA). The project for the restoration of Mt Airy Forest was SP-17.

"The CCC camp established in Mt. Airy Forest was one of 2,600 camps established nationally to employ young men aged 17- 25. Of the several thousand CCC camps established during the Depression, approximately 150 employed all African American youth" (livingnewdeal.org). In May of 1935, the first detachment of the all African American Civilian Conservation corps unit 1505-C came to Mount Airy to build an encampment that housed over two hundred men for the next two years. 

Although the community at large was skeptical of hosting the all African American Corp, these men proved to be an invaluable asset to Cincinnati Parks and the City as a whole. With a total of 51,414 man hours, work accomplished, and $58,583.00 received from the Federal Program, this group played a major role in how Mt. Airy was transformed from farmland to the park we see today.

Mt. Airy Forest stands as a testament to the dedication and hard work of those who came before us. What was once cleared farmland is now a thriving green space, thanks to the efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps and other reforestation initiatives. The park's trails, shelters, and greenery continue to provide a place for visitors to explore, relax, and connect with nature. As we walk through the forest, we honor the legacy of all those who helped shape Mt. Airy Forest into the cherished Cincinnati Park it is today.