• Airport - Mackinac Island MI
    The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) developed Mackinac Island's airport, originally a "simple grass runway."
  • Fort Holmes Restoration - Mackinac Island MI
    The WPA conducted extensive restoration work on this site. According to Frank Straus: “The second cycle began in the summer of 1936, when the Works Progress Administration rebuilt Fort Holmes, using an 1817 engineer’s detailed drawing and elevation of the original redoubt. The federal agency, operating with a workforce encamped on the northern side of the Island at the site of the current solid waste transfer station, raised a new blockhouse, re-dug the ditch, piled up soil for a new embankment, and lined the outward walls of the embankment with cedar logs to rebuild the palisade.”
  • Fort Mackinac Building Restoration - Mackinac Island MI
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) restored "several historic buildings in Fort Mackinac."
  • Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery Landscaping - Mackinac Island MI
    The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) landscaped the Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery on Mackinac Island.
  • Historic Marker [Court House] - Mackinac Island MI
    In front of the Mackinac Island Courthouse and Police Department building is one of many "incredibly detailed, two-sided oak signs showing scenes of the island's heritage," that were hand-carved by WPA artisans. As of 2017 this example, created by J. W. Miximong, is the only remaining marker that is in active use .
  • Historic Marker [Ft. Mackinac] - Mackinac Island MI
    On display at the second floor of the Soldiers’ Barracks of Fort Mackinac is one of many “incredibly detailed, two-sided oak signs showing scenes of the island’s heritage,” that were hand-carved by WPA artisans. This example, "Built 1829 // Presbyterian Mission Church To The Indians," was carved by J. W. Miximong. The carver's name and 'WPA' are inscribed.
  • Historic Marker [Manoogian Museum] - Mackinac Island MI
    Located inside The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum is one of many “incredibly detailed, two-sided oak signs showing scenes of the island’s heritage,” that were hand-carved by WPA artisans. This example, "Retail Store // American Fur Co // 1818 - 1834" was carved by E. R. Homins. The carver's name and 'WPA' are inscribed.
  • Historic Markers [Stuart House] - Mackinac Island MI
    On display at the Stuart House City Museum on Mackinac Island are four (or possibly five) of what were many "incredibly detailed, two-sided oak signs showing scenes of the island's heritage," that were hand-carved by WPA artisans. As of 2017 the examples housed here are: "1634 - 1635 First Explorer Passed This Way" by J. W. Miximong "1817 to 1834 Home of Robert Stewart Resident Mgr. American Fur Co." by E. R. Homins , by E. R. Homins "Built 1818 Home of Edward Biddle Clerk American Fur Co." by E. R. Homins "1817 - 1834 Warehouse American Fur Co." (Living New Deal is unsure if this is an original marker, restored by Dale Gensman,...
  • Mackinac Island Relief Map - Mackinac Island MI
    "Perhaps one of the most unique contributions from WPA artists is a large relief map of Mackinac Island. Measuring ninety-one inches by fifty-three inches, and made from wood, plaster, and foam, the map is impressive to look at to this day. Its features include small trees, buildings, roads, and the airport, which at the time was a simple grass runway. The map was most likely intended to be on display in a visitor center or a place for advertisements. Due to the size of the relief map, it is currently not on display and is stored with the parks’ historical...
  • Scout Barracks - Mackinac Island MI
    Located north of Fort Mackinac and at the east end of the Parade Ground, the historic Scout Barracks building was constructed by the Mackinac Island Civilian Conservation Corps unit in 1934.
  • WPA Historic Markers - Mackinac Island MI
    "On Mackinac Island, several WPA engravers created incredibly detailed, two-sided oak signs showing scenes of the island's heritage." Hand-carved, many were created for placement outside the island's historic buildings. After decades of decay, Carpenter Dale Gensman rescued seven signs from disposal and undertook a multi-year project to restore them. According to the Oakland Press, "each sign stands about 3.5-feet-tall, 2.5-feet wide and weighs almost 300-pounds." As of 2017 the remaining seven signs, since restored, can be found at four different sites on the island, one in use and six on display:  in front of the Mackinac Island Courthouse;  on display at the Stuart House City Museum;...