El Cerrito Sites

Originally known as Camp Berkeley, what is now Camp Herms contains a WPA swimming pool with dressing and shower rooms. The style was influenced by Mayan architecture. "The year 1938 marked the inauguration of a program of extensive improvements at Camp Herms... The City of El Cerrito sponsored the project and the City Engineer was to act as liaison between the W.P.A. and the council... The W. H. Gibson Foundation gave the council $2,500 for the construction of a pool and the Scout Executive accepted the responsibility of raising approximately $125,000 in cash and materials for the project. This included the swimming pool,...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) developed two parks in El Cerrito, Poinsett and Huber.  WPA improvements at 2.6-acre Huber park include leveling portions of the hillside site, building extensive rubble stone support walls, and constructing recreational facilities.  The latter include a lower area with paved basketball and kickball courts, a large cement slide, a play area with swings for children, and a picnic area with a large brick fireplace.  There is also a small clubhouse (apparently closed), bathrooms, and trails. The date May 1939 is inscribed on the brick fireplace, which is probably the year when the WPA worked at the park.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) developed two parks in El Cerrito, one of which is Poinsett Park in the Mira Vista section at the north end of the town.  The date of the work is unknown to us. Poinsett Park occupies a narrow strip along a small creek running downhill for roughly two blocks.  The upper end is riparian vegetation, after which the creek disappears into a large culvert and the park is made up of a series of leveled areas stepping down the steep hillside.  First comes a lawn; then a children's playground; then a barbecue pit and refreshment stand....

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed 14 persons during the Great Depression in a WPA painting job on the 1932 Veterans Memorial building. According to posts on the building Facebook page, the building continues to house many community events. WPA Project No. 165-3-2146, App. Date Apr 2, 1937, $1,217, Total Funds $1,484, Average Employed 14, Federal Man-Hours 1,096, "Paint the Municipal Buildings in the city of El Cerrito, Contra Costa County and perform work incidental thereto. Exclusive of projects specifically approved. City owned property."

The WPA was involved in construction work in Wildcat Canyon. "State of California, National Guard - Construct new rifle range on Wildcat Canyon in Contra Costa County, near Berkeley, by excavating; clearing and grading site; surfacing roads; erecting pit timbers, target frames and rifle racks; constructing superintendent's house; reconstructing buildings; fencing; and performing appurtenant and incidental work. Project also includes dismantling existing rifle range at Leona Heights in Alameda County, near Oakland and moving to new location. Project will operate on East Bay Municipal Utility District owned property under lease to the State of California until 1947. In addition to projects...