Camp Nancy

Camp Nancy Camp Nancy began as one of many logging camps established in the Piney Woods of east Texas during the early 20th century. The camp was first created inNacogdoches County, but was moved to the Angelina County community of Dunkin ca. 1918. Once the camp was relocated, the Angelina County Lumber Company constructed offices, a commissary, a school and tenant homes and boxcar homes for workers and their families. In 1922, the Macmillan naval Stores Company contracted to harvest pine resin from the forests surrounding Nancy, and a turpentine operation was established. While most logging camps were short-lived enterprises, Camp Nancy existed for approximately 16 years. The camp’s longevity can in part be credited to the technological advances developed and implemented at the site. The Angelina County Lumber Company took advantage of the openness of the woods to replace ox and mule teams with four-line rehaul skidders. The efficiency of the skidders hastened the logging process, as well as the exploitation of the southeast Texas forest. The company then implemented the first large-scale direct seeding effort in Texas designed to reforest cutover land, planting 100 pounds of longleaf pine seed in 1925. The camp’s logging operations were moved to Tyler County in 1933. The following year, the Civilian Conservation Corps established a work camp at the site and continued reforestation efforts. In 1936, the site became part of Angelina National Forest, and once the CCC Camp closed, the site was virtually abandoned.

Camp Nancy is a historical marker in Zavalla, Angelina County, dedicated in 2010. It is one of 45 historical markers documented in Angelina County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 176 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.1059, -94.4310 near Zavalla. The nearest cataloged historic site is Chambers (cemetery), about 0.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Dunkin, Barge, and Poland.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016536. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.