Date added: August 2, 2023
The Civil Works Administration (CWA) conducted substantial improvement work to what was known as Butler School in Riverton Township, Michigan. The school was located on the “east side of Morton Road, between Chauvez and Kinney roads.” The project was detailed… read more
Date added: July 30, 2023
The Works Progress Administration built the Tourist Building in Grand Rapids MI in 1935. From the GR History website: Tourist Building GRHC – February 29th, 2012 The original tenant of the one story Georgian style building at the west edge… read more
Date added: April 27, 2023
Anchoring downtown Zeeland, the new one-story 60 by 70 foot post office was built for $68,000. Construction was completed in just seven months, tapping into a pool of unemployed workers available during the New Deal Era. Although the population of… read more
Date added: March 27, 2023
This outdoor amphitheater was built into a hillside of a city park so the sounds from summer concerts and other events could easily project up through the audience. This popular gathering spot was renovated in 2009, with $220,000 covering improvements… read more
Date added: March 27, 2023
This building allowed all city functions to be carried out in a single location for the first time, and included a council meeting room, a large public meeting room, a police station with jail cell, and city offices. This was… read more
Date added: January 14, 2023
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office was built in 1937 in Kalamazoo, MI with New Deal funds.
Date added: January 3, 2023
The Lapeer State Home and Training Facility was used as a house for the mentally feeble and those suffering from epilepsy or other medical conditions. Originally established in 1895, it was previously known as both the Michigan Home and Training… read more
Date added: December 14, 2022
Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park featured an Art Deco-style fountain built with help from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The fountain was located toward the east side of the park. Kalamazoo Business and Professional Women’s Club held a competition, awarding the first… read more
Date added: June 19, 2022
New Deal agencies undertook a variety of improvements at the Detroit Zoological Park in Royal Oak, Michigan. Between 1933 and 1937, the Civil Works Administration (CWA), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded and… read more
Date added: June 18, 2022
New Deal agencies undertook a variety of improvements at the Detroit Zoological Park in Royal Oak, Michigan. Between 1933 and 1937, the Civil Works Administration (CWA), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded and… read more
Date added: May 31, 2022
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) was developed and improved during the Great Depression with New Deal work relief funds and labor. The groundbreaking for Wayne County Airport occurred April 1929. On September 4, 1930, Wayne County Airport opens at… read more
Date added: May 17, 2022
The Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects (officially named the Frederick Douglass Homes, and alternately named Frederick Douglass Projects, Frederick Douglass Apartments, Brewster-Douglass Homes, and Brewster-Douglass Projects) were the largest residential housing project owned by the city of Detroit. It was one of… read more
Date added: September 7, 2021
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was very active in northern Michigan, planting trees, fighting fires and building recreation facilities in state parks. There was a CCC camp at Higgins Lake. The CCC built the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center… read more
Date added: December 24, 2017
“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… read more
Date added: December 24, 2017
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… read more