CCC at La Purisima: Restoring a Spanish Mission, 1936

This silent film from circa 1936 captures the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at work on the restoration of the La Purisima Mission in California's La Purisima State Park. The footage shows the meticulous process of rebuilding this historic Spanish mission, from clearing dust and dirt from the ruins to reconstructing walls with traditional adobe bricks. Local clay is utilized to create tiles for the roofing, and the surrounding grounds are landscaped, demonstrating the CCC's commitment to preserving cultural heritage while employing young men during the Great Depression.