Camp S-61 was organized at Fort Meade, Maryland, on June 5, 1933, with Lieutenant E. L. Miller in command (Tracy, p. 1; Civilian Conservation Corps, 1983, p. 12). On June 24, 1934, the camp, located outside of Petersburg, was dedicated and the camp’s name was officially changed to the E. L. Miller camp (Tracy, p. 2). The camp published a newspaper entitled the “Brainstorm.” Like the other camps, workers at the Diamond Valley camp built many roads like the Colerain Road, which they put down stone by stone (Huling, 1994). The camp was closed on October 1, 1937 (Civilian Conservation Corps, 1983, p. 12).
This camp included Company 1376 and later Company 1305.
Diamond Valley camp near Petersburg
Photograph courtesy of the Huntingdon County Historical Society
The photo above is of Albert F. Breitweiser, who is standing on the steps of the hospital. We worked in the hospital at S-61 from September 1933 until early 1935. The photo was shared by his daughter, Anita Palmer.
The base of the flagpole still exists, as does the forestry headquarters, which has been converted to a private hunting camp.
You can view names of workers who served at the CCC camps by clicking on Civilian Conservation Corps Workers.
If you know of someone who served with the CCC, who is not listed on the worker's page, please complete a CCC Roll Call Form, and their name will be added to the list.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources maintains information on all of the CCC camps in Huntingdon County and Pennsylvania. For more information on S-61 Diamond Valley, you can click on the link.