(SNP125) Charles Wagner interviewed by Norman Taylor, transcribed by Joy K. Stiles

Authors

Charles R. Wagner

Files

Interviewee

Wagner, Charles R.

Identifier

SNP125

Format

1 transcript (20 leaves 28 cm.)

Interview Number

SNP-125

Date of Interview

8-28-1991

Description

Records an interview with Charles Wagner, who came to the Shenandoah Valley in 1935, after enlisting in the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC), and was stationed near Luray, Virginia. Describes his career in the CCC, working as a laborer, cook, truck driver and eventually being promoted to First Sergeant. Mr. Wagner describes the hierarchy of the CCC camps, the command structure and the types of work performed by the enrollees. Detailed accounts of everyday life in the camps, from the living and working conditions to the educational and recreational opportunities are given. Mr. Wagner also relates his first-hand experiences with local entrepreneur George Freeman Pollock, owner of nearby Skyland resort, who was a major influence in the establishment of Shenandoah National Park.

There is no audio recording for this interview; interview consists of transcript only.

Rights

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Personal Names

Wagner, Charles R., (Charles Ronald), 1915-1991 Interviews; Pollock, George Freeman, 1869-1949 -- Anecdotes

Subjects

Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.) -- Virginia -- Shenandoah National Park – History; Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.). Camp NP-1 -- Shenandoah National Park (Va.) – History; Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.). Company 334 (Va.) – History; Mountain people -- Blue Ridge Mountains -- Social life and customs; Mountain people -- Virginia -- Shenandoah National Park -- Social life and customs.

Place Names

Blue Ridge Mountains -- Economic conditions; Skyline drive; Skyland (Va.) – History; Page County (Va.) – History; Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Manners and customs; Shenandoah National Park (Va.) -- History, Local.

Interviewer

Taylor, Norman

Transcriber

Stiles, Joy K.

Collection Title

Shenandoah National Park oral history collection

Collection Number

SdArch SNP

Recommended Citation

Charles R. Wagner interviewed by Norman Taylor, August 28, 1991, SdArch SNP-125, Shenandoah National Park Oral History Collection, 1964-1999, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University