Spirit of "1938

Forest Service painting becomes an icon

for the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps

This artists drawing was originally called the "Spirit of "1938" but was later changed by the artist to 'Spirit of CCC". It depicts three CCC boys carrying the tools of their profession, the water backpack, mattock, and the tree-planting bar. The original was a 4x6 foot oil painting, created by Harry Rossoll in 1938. Harry Rossoll later became well known as one of the artists of Smoky Bear.

In 1939 the oil painting was exhibited at the World's Fair on Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. Unfortunately the original has since disappeared.

Harry Rossoll was a Forest Service employee and you will note the USDA Forest Service logo on the lower right. The logo on the lower left represents the Emergency Conservation Work, forerunner to the name of Civilian Conservation Corps.