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  • Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Water System - Big Sur CA
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) made extensive improvements to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park on the central California coast, developing it for public recreational use. The state parks commission acquired the land in 1933, but had no funds for development.  The CCC worked in the park from 1933 to 1941, but the sources do not specify exact dates for each improvement.  CCC enrollees added a piped water system to the park to serve the campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, and park buildings, as well as providing fire protection. The water system appears to still be functioning, with many intact stone drinking fountains, brass...
  • Frank Wiggins Trade School Mural (former) – Los Angeles CA
    In 1934, Leo Katz painted a three-panel mural in the lobby of Frank Wiggins Trade School (today's Los Angeles Trade-Technical College) in Los Angeles, CA. Katz was assisted by artists Tyrone Comfort and Ben Messick. The side panels were funded by the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP); the central panel was completed at Katz' own expense following the termination of the PWAP in May 1934. The April 1937 issue of Los Angeles School Journal noted that an "unsuccessful attempt" was made by a first artist before Katz took over. Having "just returned from Mexico filled with enthusiasm from his study...
  • City Hall: Mako Bas Reliefs – Burbank CA
    In 1943, Bartolo Mako sculpted a set of bas reliefs for City Hall in Burbank, CA. Two are located on the building's east and west wings, with another at the Third Street entrance. The project likely received funding from the Works Projects Administration (WPA) Art Project prior to its termination. The untitled panels on the east and west wings represent the body of peace, an eagle, soldiers, and mechanics at work on an airplane. The panel at the Third Street entrance, titled "A Tribute to Craftsmen," features workers in construction, metal working, and the aviation industry. Mako's other FAP works in the...
  • Hollywood High School: Douglas Mural – Los Angeles CA
    Haldane Douglas painted a 42' x 16' mural, titled "Education," in Hollywood High School's library. The mural was funded by the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) and—upon the termination of the PWAP—the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). It was completed in 1934. Located above the library's circulation desk, "Education" depicts "the roots of modern civilization in Greek culture and emphasizing that which gives Hollywood its unique position in the world of entertainment. It was Mr. Douglas' first mural and a piece of which WPAP officials were not particularly proud" (Wells, p. 22). Featured in the mural is the Hollywood Bowl,...
  • George Washington Preparatory High School: Everett Sculpture – Los Angeles CA
    Under the auspices of the WPA Federal Art Project (FAP), artist Eugenia Everett sculpted for Brockton Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles, CA, a statue now located at George Washington Preparatory High School. The sculpture is of "Wynken, Blinken, and Nod," characters in Eugene Field's Dutch lullaby. Fries Avenue Elementary School (Los Angeles, CA), has a copy of the same statue. According to a 1937 article in the Los Angeles School Journal, "Eugenia Everett is a wistful young lady, working in her aunt's studio on Manhattan Place" (Wells, p. 25).
  • Belmont High School: Herron Sculpture – Los Angeles CA
    Artist Jason Herron sculpted "Modern Youth" for Belmont Senior High School in Los Angeles, CA, with Federal Arts Project (FAP) funds. Originally located on the school's front lawn and currently found in the entryway, the sculpture "represents the scholastic interests as well as the athletic accomplishments of young people today" (Wells, p. 25). It depicts a boy with a book in his right hand and a globe against his left hip. He sits on a two-tiered base with the inscription "WPA/Federal Art Project/1937." According to a 1937 article in the Los Angeles School Journal, "Jason Herron is a young lady whose art...
  • Jordan High School Gymnasium – Los Angeles CA
    The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of a girl's gymnasium at Jordan High School (formerly David Starr Jordan High School) in Los Angeles, CA. The gymnasium, completed in 1937, was one of two structures on Jordan High School's campus built by the PWA. The other was a loggia, built in 1935, connecting the Administration Building to the North Annex. Jordan High School's five original buildings, the Los Angeles Conservancy writes, were also retrofitted and renovated "with a unifying PWA Moderne style." The PWA allocated $9,380,000 to the Los Angeles Unified School District in January 1934 for the rehabilitation of schools damaged...
  • CCC Camp Gap Ranch (former) - Burns OR
    From 1934 to 1942, CCC Camp Gap Ranch operated in Harney County under the direction of the US Grazing Service, the precursor to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Enrollees at this 200-person Civilian Conservation Corps provided labor on projects designed to manage range land. As noted in a BLM brochure, this included building range improvements such as fences and reservoirs, drilling wells, building roads, and cutting large quantities of juniper posts for fencing projects. CCC Camp Gap Ranch (DG-5) was one of seven Civilian Conservation Corps camps established in Oregon to work with the US Grazing Service in the implementation...
  • Original Muscle Beach – Santa Monica CA
    In 1934, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed exercise equipment on Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica, CA, immediately south of the Santa Monica Pier. Known today as Original Muscle Beach, the recreation area—which includes ropes, bars, swings, etc.—is considered the "birthplace of the physical fitness boom of the twentieth century." According to the City of Santa Monica's travel and tourism website, "What began as a venue for people in Santa Monica to watch acrobats, gymnasts, wrestlers, and stunt performers practice their fantastical acts for films being shot during the Great Depression (to distract people’s attention from their own financial crises),...
  • MacArthur Park Statue – Los Angeles CA
    Icelandic sculptor Nina Saemundsson sculpted an eight-foot black cement nude of Prometheus for the Federal Arts Project (FAP). The sculpture, "Prometheus Bringing Fire to Earth" (1934), is located at the eastern Wilshire Boulevard entrance to MacArthur Park.
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