Biography of Howard L. Cox
Foreman Techincal Staff, Lake Chabot, Oakland, California & Yosemite National Park & Yellowstone National Park & Mt. Diablo and Mount Tamalpois, California
My husband and I spent some years with the CCCs traveling from camp to camp - he was a foreman - usually arriving at a planned area before the boys and staff arrived. My husband, Howard L. Cox, was stationed first at Lake Chabot, Oakland, California. Then in '32-'33 he was stationed in Yosemite National Park.
We married just before he was to travel to his next assignment at Yellowstone National Park.
That winter Harold was in the office, located in San Francisco. Spring came and we were sent to Mt. Diablo and Mount Tamalpois in California.
Then a job became available in Oakland, California City Parks, which was headed by William Penn Mott (later National Parks Director). Harold Cox remained with that position until we moved (for a daughter's health) to Arizona.
After a brief time Howard joined the Arizona State Parks and helped establish many recreation areas until his death in 1994. During that time he taught class in night school, designed park areas state wide, including the area of the "London Bridge" at Lake Havasu..
The camps which Harold served in as part of the Technical Staff was as follows -
1933 - "Camp Challot" Bay Area of Oakland, California.
1933-1934 - Yosemite National Park, building roads and camp sites.
1934 - Yellowstone National Park, building roads and camp sites. The stint in Yellowstone was short because of weather. June gave us snow and rain and late September brought snow and closing of park. Howard planned roads and improved plans for camping.
1935-1936 - Calaveras State Park, building roads and camp sites, fighting fires, clearing out brush, on duty "super" of boys.
One of the camps was formed by World War I veterans. They were the most unruly. One year in this camp was formed by boys from "Hell's Kitchen" in New York - some with "records" others sending money home to family (parents and young siblings). These boys were provided with some "book learning" and a "trade experience".
Returning to California and the office of National Parks where he worked with William Mott, later National Director.
In 1936 we were in "Mice Valley", Marie County California and camp sites were built built on Mt. Tamalpois. That's where we formed a lasting friendship with the Fred Kellers. I'm certain the 'boys' will remember "Freddie" with the booming voice where telephone communication was interrupted and Fred's voice was used to reach far flung workers.
A camp was active improving areas of "Mt. Diablos" - fire fighting, etc.
Always, Howard spoke highly of the boys' attitude and willingness to learn.
About this time the C.C.C. disbanded and Howard went to work for the parks department of Oakland, California whose William Penn Mott soon became City of Oakland Parks Department Director and later was appointed Director of National Parks.
We shared a friendship with the wonderful family of Mott's until their deaths a few years ago.
As to the camp life of the boys, the men (boys) lived in tents. Remember the C.C.C.s were organized like the Army. Tents were at all the camps where Howard served. They had a "chow lines" for food service.
Some camps had movies, mostly old ones, funny. Occasionally they had speakers. They had card games, educators.
I never heard any complaints about the food. My husband always spoke well of the food. He ate with the boys at the staff table. When Government personnel paid visits, steak was served.
A.W.O.L. = problems with the camp. Only were the W.W.. I vets were at Calaveras "Big Trees" California. And once a "girl" was brought to camp from the near-by town.
In my mind I recall that there were some conflicts with C.C. staff and army officers who acted superior to park staff!
The hours of staff duty were usually 8 to 10 hours and rotated week-ends, which meant over night. That was hard on the wives because that meant they were alone all night and some weekends in a remote camp or mobile home (see my poem re: experience).
Howard always spoke highly of the boys, even those in one of the camps who were from "Hell's Kitchen" in New York. In 1939 at Big Sur State Park there was an out-break of Scarlet Fever with one death - of course the Staff families fled (in the night). Our son, Donald, has followed his father's interest as Donald is an "arborist" and has worked in many parts of the world, at present, in California "saving trees".
----- Rose Lee Cox, Mrs. Harold L. Cox
Below, Two Poems by Ms. Cox about their time in the Park Service, and photos.
Park Service Wife
Many were the stormy nights
I spent alone beside my child
while rain and wind
pounded roof and door.
Shivering with cold and fear
I put another log upon the fire
to force the terror away.
Wild things paced outside
the windows
frightened only when crashing trees
screamed against the wind.
A gun beside me ready to use -
counting minutes until the dawn.
Then daylight crept across the valley
taking all the shadows with it.
Perking coffee on the stove,
warm milk for our cereal.
Smiles returned - night's terror fled,
dark shaped which had lurked
around us, now gone.
--- Rose Lee Cox
Days of Freedom
We watched antelope and deer graze
Heard grizzly bear's warning growl.
Moose and elk sharing pasture
watching us cautiously.
Waterfalls splashed against boulders.
Where birds darted into spray
baited line teased trout to bite.
We scaled mountain sides
to reach a favorite spot.
Heard sound of wind in leaves
and piercing cry of hawk
slice through the air.
Steak cooked over pit-fire
coffee simmering in a can.
Battered frypan with sizzling bacon
potatoes turning golden brown.
There were times we lost our way,
darkness came too soon.
Crawling under brush, hugging close to shore of stream.
One hand held flashlight
the other loaded gear.
Fighting panic with prayer,
mosquitos swarming round.
Weary feet were dragging
empty stomachs growling.
Sighting familiar clearing
brought relief and thanks to prayer.
The air was clear and water pure.
Limbs were strong and spirits high -
Those were days of freedom!
--- Rose Lee Cox
>
Harold L. Cox, Moray Teton National Forest, July 3, 1934
The Three Musketeers at Cottage. Rose's mother, Rose and Harold Cox, July 22, 1934. Corvin Springs, Gardiner Gateway
Office Staff at at Lake, June 24, 1934, Yellowstone. (Back Row Left to Right)) Mr. Hill, Bob Hall, Mr. Matson, Howard Grieg, Petri, Betty Franciscower, (Front Row) Langdon, Mrs. Matson, Mrs. Hill, Bunny Grieg and baby, Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Morris.
Geyser, Yellowstone, 1934
LINKS
BACK TO James F. Justin Civilian Conservation Corps Museum Biographies
BACK TO JUSTIN ORAL HISTORY ARMY BIOGRAPHIES HISTORY PAGE
Also Be Sure to Visit
James F. Justin, Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
Justin Museum of Military History
Please Share your Stories! E-mail the Curator to share or discuss or with any questions!
Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001-2020 John Justin, All Rights Reserved
http://www.justinmuseum.com/oralbio/coxhlbio.html