Fred Faris Sites

Crispin Center was constructed with the assistance of the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). "Crispin Center - with its large swimming pool, golf shop and Pine Room area - has changed little on the outside. Built in 1937-38 of natural sandstone, much of it quarried locally, the facility stands as a tribute to the quality of work in Depression-era projects."

oglebayfoundation.org, 2012: "Several dozen Works Progress Administration (WPA) workmen began construction on the Oglebay pool in late 1936, using a federal grant of $68,000, supplemented by a loan from the Sarita Oglebay Russel trust (with the loan to be paid back with pool revenue). John Hargleroad, operations director for the Wheeling Park Commission, shares information about the unique original plumbing. “All the rain water that fell in the area, plus the drains in the locker rooms, flowed into the pool,” he says. “Flush and fill pools were very common at that time.” Although the pool opened quietly to the public in late...