Theodore "Pete" Henderson


                           


                        

The West Virginia Civilian Conservation Corps Museum Association inducted Theodore "Pete" Henderson into the West Virginia Civilian Conservation Corps Museum Association Hall of Fame at the July 2010 dinner-meeting held at the Three Ways Inn meeting room, Fairmont, West Virginia. Shirley Bingman of Kingmont, Marion County, assistant treasurer CCC,  presented Mr. Henderson, who resided near Boothsville, the CCC commemorative pin. Mr. Henderson follows 1st Hall of Fame inductee Harlen Frederick of Fairmont.  Sadly, Henderson passed away at his home, August 15, 2010. A special moment of silent tribute was made in his honor at the August 2010 meeting.

Mr. Henderson was the second CCC vet to be inducted into the newly formed West Virginia CCC Museum Association Hall of Fame following first Hall of Fame inductee Harlen Frederick of Fairmont.

Theodore "Pete" Henderson, 95, was born at Gilmer Station in Gilmer County. In his youth, the Henderson family moved to Hammond, near Valley Falls, Marion County where he worked with his father in the Clay Mine there. In 1938, Henderson joined the CCC and he and a number of West Virginians were assigned to camps South Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona, and then to Three Rivers, California, the Gateway to the Sequoia National Forest. After leaving the CCC camps, he returned to the Fairmont area, where he worked in coal mines at Maidsville in Mon County. In 1943, "Pete" was employed by the B & O Railroad and retired in 1975.  Henderson commented: "Joining the CCC was an important part of my life. I learned discipline and respect for authority." He continued: "We built roads, trails, pavilions, and overlooks without heavy machinery. In Arizona, we lived in barracks. While in California, we lived in tents. I really believe, with the way things are today, we need a CCC program again."





Theodore "Pete" Henderson, West Virginia CCC Museum Association Hall of Fame Inductee,
Shirley Bingman, WVCCCMA Board member, Richard S. Bailey, WVCCCMA publicity. Taken July 14, 2010.