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  • Adel Swimming Pool - Adel IA
    A public swimming pool in Adel IA was built by the Works Progress Administration in 1935. One of the earliest municipal pools constructed in Iowa, the facility was around for a good share of historical events – war, environmental disasters, and cultural and economic changes. “When the pool was completed,” states Allison McNeal of the Dallas County News, “it was quite an attraction to residents including the fact that it had covered restrooms and a bathhouse, uncommon for the era.” The WPA project also provided unemployment relief for area residents. Over time, the pool faced a lack of upkeep as well as...
  • Airport Development - Manchester IA
    The Civil Works Administration (CWA) conducted work to develop Manchester, Iowa's municipal airport.
  • Alden Bridge - Alden IA
    "An earlier bridge that once crossed the Iowa River in Alden had long united the two sides of this small town. However, by the mid-1930s the existing wood structure had "long since seen its best day," according to the Alden Times. In 1935, the Hardin County government sought to replace both the Alden and Steamboat Rock bridges by securing financial assistance from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In October, the WPA approved the two projects, which were a great boon to Alden's unemployed--used as day labor to help construct the new concrete bridge over the Iowa River. The estimated cost...
  • Algona Public Library Mural - Algona IA
    The mural "Daily Bread" -- currently on display at the Algona Public Library -- was completed with New Deal funds in 1941. The painting by Francis Robert White, formerly in the Algona Iowa post office, moved to the Algona Public Library. When the library was being remodeled, the mural was relocated to the Algona City Hall, where it is on display in the Algona city council chambers. City Hall is located at 112 W. Call Street, Algona, IA 50511.
  • Allamakee County Courthouse - Waukon IA
    The Allamakee Courthouse has helped its communities by educating, protecting and preserving the county. The courthouse serves as a spot with many departments that improve the life of those who live in the county. There are many services the courthouse offers, this include ASAP, a department that helps educate people about drug and alcohol abuse. Assessor’s office which helps estimate the value of one’s property. Along with the most well-known treasures office which is where one’s property tax and vehicle registration occurs. The courthouse has become an important site for all of Allamakee county residents. The courthouse is important because...
  • Ames High School - Ames IA
    The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (Public Works Administration) funded the construction of the Ames High school. Today, the building serves as the Ames City Hall.
  • Anamosa Post Office - Anamosa IA
    Federal Works Agency (FWA) built the City of Anamosa, Iowa Post Office. The Cornerstone of the building lists John Carmody, the Administrator of the Federal Works Project.
  • Ashford University Field - Clinton IA
    Originally the Riverview Stadium and then the Alliant Energy Field. This stadium was built by the WPA in 1935-1937. It still has its WPA plaque.
  • Backbone State Park - Richland Township IA
    "The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established in April 1933 as a part of the New Deal Program of President Roosevelt as an effort to provide work for unemployed Americans during the Great Depression. Many of Backbone's buildings were constructed by the CCC from 1933 to 1941. Among the projects completed at Backbone were the dams on the Maquoketa River forming Backbone Lake, a cluster of rustic family cabins, beach and boat house, an auditorium, bridges, roads, picnic shelters, rest rooms, and trails. Most of these structures have been restored and the effort continues."
  • Bandshell - New Hampton IA
    The Work Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a bandshell in Mikkelson Park in New Hampton, Iowa. Completed in 1937, it cost about $5,000 and could accommodate 55 musicians. It features two locker rooms.
  • Baseball Park - Rock Valley IA
    The Rock Valley Baseball Park was built in 1937, and the Works Progress Administration built the grandstand several years later. 
  • Bremer County Courthouse - Waverly IA
    The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the Bremer County Courthouse in Waverly IA in 1935.  The project received $60,750 from the PWA. 
  • Buffalo Creek Park Dam - Coggon IA
    The New Deal dam in Coggon, located in northeastern Linn County, was replaced in 1967 by the current dam, known as the Buffalo Creek Park Dam.41 The New Deal dam was built in order to restore Manhattan Lake in Coggon. Construction began in September 1934 with labor supplied by FERA. Although the date of completion was not discovered, it was originally estimated that the dam would take four months to construct, suggesting an expected completion date in early 1935. However, just as with the FERA dam in Quasqueton, the construction of the Coggon Dam took considerably longer than originally estimated....
  • Callanan Middle School Murals - Des Moines IA
    From the school website: "In the 1930s the famous WPA Murals, under the direction of Grant Wood, were painted for the walls of Callanan. The school was fortunate to be chosen to have two such artistic treasures to beautify the upper portion of each stairway. The south mural Nation at Work' was painted by George Grooms in 1936. The north mural 'Nation at Play' was by Glen Chamberlain and dated to 1937. Each mural made a statement about preparing young people for participation the the adult world. They were viewed as a patriotic reflection of President Roosevelt’s aim to get all...
  • Cass County Courthouse - Atlantic IA
    "The building is three stories and a basement in height and houses all the county official on the first floor. The second and third floors are occupied by the courtroom, offices for the court officers, and the jail. The structure is fireproof throughout, with exterior walls of brick trimmed with stone. It was completed in June 1935 at a construction cost of $141,274 and a project cost of $152,872."
  • Cemetery Wall - Villisca IA
    A local newspaper from 1939 explains that, "The cemetery improvement work started on August 28, 1938, with provision of rebuilding some 500 feet of rock walls and rock masonary entrance portals; laying 1000 feet of water mains; sodding and landscaping two acres of the area. Thirteen WPA workmen are currently employed, one of whom is a non-certitified foreman. Expenditures so far total $3,248 in federal funds and $355 in city funds." The WPA also built the town's swimming pool, and it is documented that the WPA demolished an old hotel building and was to use the recycled lumber to build a...
  • City Hall - Council Bluffs IA
    Art Deco City Hall built for $340,000 with Works Progress Administration workers in 1939. The building was designed by architect J. Chris Jensen. An article published in the Daily Nonpareil in 1939 stated that, “Actual work leading to the construction of the proposed $340,000 city hall at the old Merriam Block site started Monday with 40 WPA men assigned to remove piling from the basement excavation and to pave the way for pile driving equipment J. Chris Jensen, architect, said the pile driving equipment will be moved in on the job within the next few days. Workmen, after taking the 500 pilling...
  • City Hall - Mount Pleasant IA
    "Mt. Pleasant City Hall on West Monroe Street.  Built in 1936 by W.P.A. workers from Bedford stone salvaged from Seeley Memorial High School." https://iagenweb.org
  • City Infrastructure Improvements - Keokuk IA
    During the 1930s, the WPA did extensive work in Keokuk. In addition to grading city streets and installing sewers, stop signs and stop lights, the WPA also built a high school athletic field and made improvements to the National Cemetery and Keokuk's riverfront.
  • City Park - Le Mars IA
    The WPA constructed numerous stone walls, buildings and picnic shelters in the park in 1936-1938.
  • Clear Lake State Park - Clear Lake IA
    The WPA built latrines and a utility building in the park in 1938 (project number 2668).
  • Comiskey Field Clubhouse - Dubuque IA
    An inventory of WPA project photographs compiled by Becky Jordan at Iowa State University includes reference to numerous public works projects undertaken by the agency in Iowa between 1935 and 1940. The collection of 1,271 photographs documents the variety and extent of New Deal related efforts undertaken in the Hawkeye State. The Comiskey Field Clubhouse in Dubuque (Project 430) is included among the many WPA projects described in the collection. Living New Deal believes this structure to have been demolished.
  • Community Building - Hastings IA
    This simple community building was constructed by the WPA in 1937. The town's fire station is housed in the right hand side of the building.
  • Credit Island Park - Davenport IA
    Credit Island Park is a 450 acre island in the Mississippi River on the south west side of Davenport Iowa. In addition to a natural historic preserve, the park contains a lodge, boat ramp, golf course and many other amenities. The WPA did extensive work in the park in 1935. WPA workers graded and resurfaces roads, worked on the lake and landscaping, and relayed iron pipes.
  • Daniel Rhodes Mural - Storm Lake IA
    "Rhodes garnered a strong reputation within the WPA program in Iowa and was awarded three significant mural projects. The first, a mural for the Storm Lake post office titled “Storm Lake,” was designed and installed in 1937. After a new post office was built, the mural was moved to the Storm Lake Public Library. Earnings made from this commission enabled Rhodes to continue his main focus in oil/easel painting." (projects.mtmercy.edu)
  • Des Moines Federal Courthouse: Rhodes Mural - Des Moines IA
    The Treasury Section of Fine Arts commissioned "the Wheelwright" painted by artist Daniel Rhodes in 1942 for the Clayton Branch Post Office in St. Louis, Missouri. The mural was removed from the post office in 1971 and relocated to the Des Moines Federal Courthouse, where it is currently on view.    
  • Des Moines Fire Department - Des Moines IA
    "This is a modern fire station which includes not only all the necessary facilities for the fighting but also provisions for training, recreation, housing of personnel, and maintenance of all equipment. The building is located in the business district of the city at the intersection of two important streets which are not, however, arteries of excessive traffic. In addition to the building illustrated, the project includes a shop building and a drill tower. The headquarters building is rectangular in plan, 128 by 117 feet. The apparatus room provides space for five units of rolling stock besides space for...
  • DeWitt City Hall Mural - DeWitt IA
    The mural "Shucking Corn" by John V. Bloom was painted in 1939 with funding from the Treasury Section of Fine Arts for what was then the town post office. The building has since become the DeWitt City Hall.
  • Dolliver Memorial State Park - Lehigh IA
    "C.C.C. Company 2725 established camp DSP-3 (now SP-6) in Dolliver Memorial State Park on August 7, 1934, and immediately set to work constructing a series of barracks (Fig,.10) and a shop (Fig. 11). Aerial photography of Webster County from 1939 by the A.A.A. (Agricultural Adjustment Agency – a New Deal program to pay farmers to reduce their crop production) captured the area of the C.C.C. camp at Dolliver shorly after the barracks were constructed (Fig 12a). It shows the loge, cabins, the mess hall, rest room facilities, shortly after they were constructed and the remains of a baseball diamond. It...
  • Dubuque Swimming Pool - Dubuque IA
    The public swimming pool at Rafferty Slough in Dubuque, IA was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1937. Measuring 75 x 225 feet, the Dubuque pool was the largest and most expensive of a number of publicly constructed swimming pools in Iowa during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Over the course of its construction, the pool project secured employment for sixty-one laborers. The dedication of the pool culminated a total expenditure of $17,000 by the city of Dubuque with the rest of the funding coming from the WPA. The opening ceremony included public speeches, diving exhibitions, and swimmers performing...
  • Eagle Point Park - Clinton IA
    Not to be confused with the park of the same name in Dubuque, Iowa, the WPA did extensive work on Eagle Point Park from 1935-1937. Workers deepened and widened Battle Creek, built trails and footbridges, and constructed many stone structures in the park: "Overlooking the Mississippi River and General Zebulon Pike Lock and Dam (No. 13) are the 164 acres known as Eagle Point Park. Visitors are provided with spectacular views of the river and parts of Illinois, and Iowa. Shelter buildings constructed from native stone are available by reservation. The park offers many more amenities, such as: picnic tables, barbecue...
  • Eagle Point Park - Dubuque IA
    "The park took on a new look in the 1930s when the City hired Park Superintendent Alfred Caldwell. A $200,000 Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant was received and the gifted landscape architect began work. His love of Frank Lloyd Wright prairie architecture is very recognizable in the buildings and gardens. Caldwell's exceptional use of native construction materials, craftsmanship, and unique designs make the park one of the most beautiful in the Midwest."   (https://www.dbq.com) "Architect Alfred Caldwell directed the building of many of the structures at the park, which made use of the limestone found in the area. These include the pavilions,...
  • Echo Valley State Park - West Union IA
    Echo Valley State Park is a 100-acre natural area, originally built by the CCC. On December 12, 1935 the Park was named Echo Valley. A stone and log shelter 35 ft X 27 Ft. with a stone fireplace and 945 square foot porch were built in 1936 and are extant. The shelter house overlooked the man made lake. The CCC also planted 310 shrubs and 75 trees. In April 1939 1,500 trees were planted by Echo Valley Chapter of FFA. In 1962 a CCC lime kiln was destroyed. The park was abandoned from 1970 to 1984 due to lack of state funds....
  • Edmondson Park Pool - Oskaloosa IA
    The Edmondson Park Swimming Pool and Bathhouse in Oskaloos IA was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1937. It was one of over a dozen public swimming pools constructed in Iowa during the New Deal. The Oskaloosa pool measures 75 x 150 feet and was of “particular pride” to the WPA officials and engineers who designed it. Oskaloosa’s bathhouse was regarded as one of the most beautiful in the state upon its completion. Built out of limestone quarried in Mahaska County IA the 53 x 75 foot structure is set upon a scenic spot in the municipal park. In 2005, the...
  • Edmundson Park - Oskaloosa IA
    An inscription on a bronze plaque on the Flag Pole (top of hill) reads on either side: West Side “This Park was made possible by a bequest to Oskaloosa by James DePew Edmundson 1936.” East Side-  “How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood.” "This $100,000 Edmundson Memorial Park honors two famous men in our County – our first sheriff, William Edmundson, 24 and his son, James Depew Edmundson, 25 whose gift made it possible when in 1937, he donated $20, 000 toward this Park.   All of the labor was done by about 120 men in our...
  • Elwood Olsen Stadium - Sioux City IA
    Home football stadium for Morningside College, East High School, North High School and West High School. Formerly known as Roberts Stadium.
  • Fejervary Park Improvements - Davenport IA
    The WPA constructed concrete steps in the park in 1935, and did grading and landscaping work.
  • Floyd River - Sioux City IA
    The WPA Floyd River Project involved paving the channel of the river as it passed through the stockyards. The stockyards provided thousands of jobs; they were a very strong economic force in Sioux City and the surrounding agricultural industry. The purpose of providing a stable channel through that area was the prevention of river course change and erosion of the land the yards were built on. (The river had a history of doing this.) The channel is no longer in use since a major Floyd River flood changed the course of the channel yet again.
  • Glendale Cemetery Improvements - Des Moines IA
    "In 1938 and 1939 a Works Progress Administration project made several improvements" to Des Moines's Glendale Cemetery, "which included improving curbing and the six miles of winding roads through the hilly property and making a two-acre lake which continues to attract ducks and geese."
  • Grandview Park Bandshell - Sioux City IA
    Constructed as a New Deal project (attributed on one page to the Civil Works Administration, but more likely, based on the date, a Federal Emergency Relief Administration construction), Sioux City's historic Grandview Park Bandshell "is 102 feet wide, 51 feet high and cost around $51,000 to build in 1935." The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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