Elmira Sites

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a dike at Liberty Street in Elmira, New York to mitigate the flood hazard posed by the Chemung River. Living New Deal does not know the current status of this project.

Alterations to City Hall were undertaken and the labor funded by the federal Civil Works Administration in 1934. In addition to physical modifications, the CWA funded clerical assistance: "The city has also been notified that salaries of an auditor and two clerks engaged in the distribution of surplus foods will be paid by CWA."

The construction of Dunn Field during the Great Depression was enabled by a federal Public Works Administration (PWA) grant. Construction occurred between 1938 and 1939. The ballpark is still in use today. (PWA Docket No. 1619)

The historic Elmira Academy (most recently the Ernie Davis Middle School) was the recipient of a large annex constructed with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. "n 1938 an annex was built on the north side of the Academy to make room for the industrial and vocational arts departments. The commercial department was expanded and more rooms were added to the east side of the building. The teachers found themselves competing with bulldozers, hammers and saws, concrete mixers, and derricks, far more attractive to the pupils than their daily school lessons. By the Fall of 1939 the...

"The prominence of soaring in Elmira was established with the first thirteen national soaring contests, held here from 1930 to 1946. This was made possible through an alliance of the Soaring Society of America (SSA), the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation (HHSC), and what became our county's Chamber of Commerce. Harris Hill, home to the Museum and HHSC, has since hosted many other national, regional and international contests and exhibitions. The Works Projects Administration (WPA) built Chemung County's Harris Hill Park in the 1930s. These facilities included the gliderport, hangars, cabins for housing contest pilots and crews, a youth camp, and...

Elmira, New York's former Nick Street, which no longer exists, was repaved by the federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) in 1934. "Another project approved is the repaving of Nicks Street, which connects State Street and Exchange Place in the rear of stores on East Water Street. The stones will be removed and relaid on a new foundation." State Street, replaced by Route 14, no longer exists in this location; Exchange Place and Nicks Street have both been removed as well. However, old municipal maps, such as the one shown on this page, present the area in question with all relevant streets intact.