Fort Lee Sites

The historic post office in Fort Lee, New Jersey was built with Treasury Department funds. Completed in 1938, the building houses a wonderful example of New Deal artwork.

These four post office murals were commissioned by the Department of the Treasury's Section of Fine Arts. Painted by Henry Schnakenberg, they were installed in 1941. The murals are titled “Indians Trading with the Half Moon,” “Washington at Fort Lee,” “Moving Pictures at Fort Lee,” and “The Present Day.”

Fort Lee, New Jersey received a modern sewer system during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor. Fort Lee's Palisadian newspaper wrote: For many years has been without the benefit of a sewer system. Often the overflowing of cesspools has created a condition that was not only very unpleasant but to health. The officials have been cognizant of the bad condition for a number of years but because of Fort Lee's sorry financial plight were unable to provide a remedy. A majority of the property owners effected were in no position to shoulder an...

Fort Lee, New Jersey's old West Fort Lee schoolhouse during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor. Fort Lee's Sentinel newspaper wrote: "Parents and property owners of West Fort Lee were greatly cheered ... by news that the Federal Government has approved a WPA grant for the repair of the West Fort Lee schoolhouse. ... t is hoped will result in the prompt modernization of "a building that is in dire need of such treatment." The exact location of the old school is unknown to Living New Deal.