Public Works Funding Sites

The historic Hettinger County Courthouse in Mott, North Dakota was constructed as a federal Public Works Administration (PWA) project. The PWA supplied a $30,622 grant for the project, whose total cost was $108,243. Primary construction occurred between Sept. 1934 and Nov. 1935. PWA Docket No. 6106

In 1934, the New Deal’s Public Works Administration (PWA) loaned the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company—popularly known as the “Milwaukee Road”—$8.6 million (about $194 million in 2022 dollars) for infrastructure improvements and new equipment.  The latter included two streamliner passenger trains, the coaches to be built by the Milwaukee Road’s own shops and the locomotives to be built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, New York for $90,000 each (about $2 million each in 2022 dollars). Each train set consisted of an engine and seven cars.  The locomotives were numbered 1 and 2 (see photos) and...

The Hibbing Disposal Plant, later named North Wastewater Treatment Plant, was built 1938-1939 in part with funding by the Public Works Administration (PWA). It was known for having two of the world's largest concrete self-supporting domes. The facility was demolished between 2013 and 2018.

"This structure is in reality a community center and provides for athletics and for social and educational activities. The arena, which is approximately 100 by 200 feet, is surrounded by bleacher seats. There are rooms for the American Legion and the Ladies' Auxiliary, lounges, billiard and card rooms, and administrative offices. A large curling rink approximately 130 by 200 feet has a small gallery for spectators, a curlers' clubroom, lobby, and locker room. The building is constructed of reinforced concrete and the exterior walls are faced with light-colored brick. The roof of the arena is arched...

The Public Works Administration (PWA) sponsored the following: "Projects approved for Mercer County include alterations and addition to Hickory High school ..." The location and status of this facility is presently unknown to Living New Deal. PWA Docket No. PA 1953.

Bayonne High School was constructed with federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the Great Depression. The massive undertaking cost $1.67 million; the PWA provided a $1.18 million loan and $494,000 grant to Bayonne. Construction occurred between March 1935 and June 1937. The building, which is connected to the adjacent (and older) Junior High School, is still in use today. PWA Docket No. 7957.

The high school in Berlin, PA was built in 1936-7 as a New Deal project: the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $99,000 grant for the project, whose total cost was $222,713. The facility has been dramatically expanded. PWA Docket No. PA 1099

The historic high school in Dobbs Ferry, New York was constructed using federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the 1930s. The PWA contributed a $607,400 loan and $193,049 grant to the project, whose total cost was $832,335. Construction occurred between May 1934 and June 1936. The building, designed by architects Knappe & Morris, is still in use today. PWA Docket No. NY 3301.

A high school building, likely Bentworth Senior High School, was constructed in Ellsworth as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $57,177 grant for the project, whose total cost was $145,358. PWA Docket No. PA 1620.

Part of the facility now known as Ferndale Area High School was constructed as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $112,584 grant for the project, whose total cost was $243,286. The building bears a plaque detailing its provenance. PWA Docket No. PA 1645.

Located just off the Wilbur Cross Parkway, Hamden High School was constructed as a New Deal project with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The P.W.A. supplied a $212,300 grant for the project, whose total cost was $823,508. Construction occurred between Oct. 1934 and Oct. 1935. P.W.A. Docket No. CT 1048

The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the High School in Haskell, Texas. A story published in the Abilene Reporter-News in 1936 provides details about the project: "Prepare to Build Haskell’s School HASKELL, Sept. 19. - Razing of ruins of the old Haskell high school building, burned March 20, will begin early next week and construction on the new $47,000 building replacing it will be started as soon as possible, Superintendent 0. B. were announced Saturday. The new structure, a one-story brick building, is being constructed through a loan and grant from the PWA. The building will contain eleven classrooms, a library,...

The former Hazlehurst grammar school was PWA project W1077. The project was approved 9/25/1935 and completed 11/10/1936 for a total cost of $50,004. PWA supplied a $27,500 loan and a $22,457 grant. The school was enlarged in 1947, and currently serves as the high school. Work on clearing the lot began January 1936. Contractor was J. R. Flint and architect was E. L. Malvaney.

Federal Public Works Administration Docket No. NY 2754 entailed the construction of two school buildings in Jamestown, New York: the new Jamestown High School and the Industrial Arts Building nearby. "In 1935 a new Jamestown High School opened for classes. Financed in part by the Public Works Administration, it is an Art Deco school that occupies the site of the Jamestown Union School and Collegiate Institute on East Second Street. Plans for a new high school had been considered as early as 1920 but problems with cost and siting kept the project from proceeding. The architectural firm of Beck and Tinkham...

The original structure of Knoxville High School was originally constructed in 1935 as a federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project.

A high school building in Loyal, Wisconsin was constructed with Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The exact location and status of the building is presently unknown to Living New Deal. wiclarkcountyhistory.org: "Formal dedication of the new high school building at Loyal will be made in exercises in the school auditorium at 8 p.m. Friday. The dedicatory address will be given by John Callahan, State superintendent of public instruction and a full program in which many persons prominent in the affairs of the school, past and present will be introduced. Construction on the new building was started December 5, 1937, and completed, for all...

Pen Argyl Area High School was constructed in 1936-7 as a New Deal project: the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $54,798 grant for the project, whose total cost was $190,863. The original building can be found at the northwest corner of W Laurel Ave. and N Heller Ave.; the facility has since been expanded to the west. The original building bears a 1936 cornerstone. Its grounds feature a stone retaining wall along West Laurel Ave. and the grounds feature stone-sided staircases. These were possibly constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), though Living New Deal does not have evidence for this at this...

"President Roosevelt has given approval of Public Works Administration projects that may mean spending of $225,630 federal funds for school buildings in three West Texas towns, congressmen Informed constituents Tuesday. Projects at Big Spring, Roscoe and Rochester were approved. Plans were being made to begin construction of buildings in the latter towns, but Big Spring school authorities were uncertain as to whether the PWA grant could be accepted. Immediate action was promised In Rochester. S. H. Vaughter, School Superintendent, stated that approximately $28,000 obtained from bonds, was on deposit in a bank, and that use would be made of $29,880 granted...

Ruleville's 1936 high school was completed as W1006 of the PWA program, with a $33,000 loan and $26,999 grant. The 2-story brick and tile school was approved September 25, 1935, and construction began in December. Architect E. L. Malvaney designed the 160x53 foot building with an 80x60 foot auditorium. It contained 18 classrooms. O. B. Douglass Construction Company received the bid for construction, Paine Heating and Tile plumbing and heating, and Stuart C. Irby Company did the electric wiring. The school was completed in August 1936. A grandstand with seating capacity of 300 and fence around the athletic grounds was finished...

The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $150,000 loan and $59,000 grant for construction of what is now Rumson-Fair Haven High School in Rumson, New Jersey. Total cost of the project was $232,925. PWA Docket No. NJ 7427

Skykomish High School was constructed in 1936 as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $56,250 grant for the project, whose total cost was $127,331. PWA Docket No. WA 1146

The Union City High School building was constructed in 1937 under the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works program, later named the Public Works Administration (PWA).

Tippah County school at Walnut, received a $9800 loan and$6216 grant from Public Works Administration project 2713 for construction of a new school building after the old one burned in March 1933. The project was approved December 26, 1933. Construction started June 16, 1934 and was completed September 18, 1934. The architect was Walter R. Nelson of Memphis. The one-story red brick-veneered building in Colonial Revival style remains in use as the high school. An addition to the rear elevation was added in 1949.

The former high school in Auburn, Massachusetts was constructed with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. "For the past two decades, the increasing cost of tuition and transportation of pupils to Worcester caused agitation for an Auburn high school, and while land had been acquired on the Dunn property on Auburn Street in 1926 for such a school, it was not until a special town meeting held August 29, 1933, that $250,000 was appropriated. Federal aid was sought under the provisions of the Public Works Administration and on March 5, 1935, the plans drawn by Lucius W. Briggs,...

A high school in Burlington, Wyoming was constructed as a federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project during the Great Depression. Completed in 1939, the facility has since been demolished. PWA Docket No. WY 1064

The former high school in Evanston, Wyoming was constructed as a federal Public Works Administration (PWA) project during the Great Depression. Construction was performed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and completed in 1936. PWA Docket No. WY 1023-R. According to the 1936-37 and 1949 high school yearbooks, the high school opened to students in 1937. "In May of 1936 the old Hallock building was torn down and a new high school building was begun under the direction of the Jacobson Construction Company of Salt Lake City, Utah, with employment furnished by the W. P. A. In January, 1937, some lucky students moved...

"REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF JONESPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT To the Municipal Officers and Citizens of the Town of Jonesport: In accord with the provisions of Section 3 of "AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE TOWN OF JONESPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT" (S. P. 253—L. D. 203), it becomes our duty as members of the Board of Trustees to submit a report of the doings and the financial condition of said District for the fiscal year ending March 1938. This Project was set up under the provisions and with the cooperation of the United States Administration of Public Works and the Town...

A high school building in Monahans, Texas was constructed with Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $57,043 grant for the project, whose total cost was $127,845. Construction began in April 1936 and was completed in March 1937. The school, which was located on the west side of what was then known as S. Guadalupe (now S. Betty Ave.), south of W. Hayes (W. 6th St.), has since been demolished. The site is now occupied by the Jerry Larned Sports Center. PWA Docket No. 1203

Basehor, Kansas received a new school in 1938, constructed as a federal Public Works Administration (PWA) project. The facility, which Living New Deal believes is that located at 3102 155th St, now houses the Sixth Grade Center. An inscription above the main entrance reads: RURAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 3 BASEHOR KANSAS The PWA provided a $24,627 grant for the project, whose total cost was $55,889. Construction started in Nov. 1937 and was completed in Jul. 1938. PWA Docket No. Kan. 1114.

Formerly Burlington's high school, what is now a municipal building at 61 Center St. was constructed as a New Deal project with Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) assistance. The P.W.A. supplied a $76,950 grant for the project, whose total cost was $163,411. The cornerstone was laid on Dec. 3, 1938 and the building was put into use in Sept. 1939, though formal dedication didn't occur until Oct. 12, 1939. PWA Docket No. MA 1437 The building's design is most unusual for its era, and the building has been extensively renovated. The only real architectural cue of the building's heritage is its 1938 cornerstone. Town reports thoroughly...

Chester, New York's former high school was constructed with the aid of federal Public Works Administration funds during the 1930s (PWA Docket No. NY 1205). The building is now home to the Chester Learning Center.

A high school construction project in Leming, Texas was undertaken during the Great Depression with the assistance of Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $25,200 grant for the project, whose total cost was $56,622. Construction began in Feb. 1936 and was largely completed in December. The exact location and current status of the structure is presently unknown to Living New Deal, though we believe it to be demolished. PWA Docket No. Tex. 1344

The Clarksville High School received a 1935 addition to the building, funded by PWA, city, and Board of Education. PWA funded $14,000 of the total cost of $50,525. State PWA engineer was Thomas H. Allen, and Katterjohn was the low-bid contractor with 100 days to complete the project. The addition included a new gymnasium, four new classrooms, new library, enlargement of study halls, and renovation of old library to a commercial department and old gymnasium to a cafeteria. Architect was Clarence Speight. In addition, CCC enrollees attended adult education provided by WPA in the school, and E. R. Lingerfelt, state...

The community of Clint, Texas needed a new high school facility after a devastating fire in 1934. What became Clint's then-new high school building, constructed in 1936, was made possible with a federal Public Works Administration (PWA) grant. The PWA supplied a $27,585 grant toward the eventual $63,606 total cost of the project. Construction occurred between March and October 1936. The current status of the New Deal building is unknown; the land on which the facility was built is part of what is now a much larger educational campus for the town of Clint. P.W.A. Docket No. TX 1037

The former East Haven High School was constructed as a New Deal project with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The P.W.A. supplied a $185,153 grant for the project, whose total cost was $427,035. Construction occurred between March and December 1936. No longer used for educational purposes, East Haven is converting the facility into a 70-unit senior housing facility. P.W.A. Docket No. CT 1026

A former school building in Greybull, Wyoming was constructed as a federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project during the Great Depression. The PWA supplied a $85,909 grant for the project, whose total cost was $196,762. Construction occurred between Nov. 1936 and Feb. 1938. The exact location and status of the facility is unknown to Living New Deal. PWA Docket No. WY 1049

The former Hawley High School, located at Atkinson St. & School Ave., was constructed with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $53,286 grant for the project, whose total cost was $119,865. Construction occurred between Dec. 1937 and Nov. 1938. PWA Docket No. PA 1656

The federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds provided funding for the construction of the old 1936 high school in Kennewick, Washington. The PWA provided a grant of $56,454; the total cost of the project was $140,054. The building has since been demolished.

A high school construction project in Leming, Texas was undertaken during the Great Depression with the assistance of Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $6,000 loan and $2,333 grant for the project, whose total cost was $8,512. Construction began in Oct. 1935 and was largely completed in Mar. 1936. The exact location and current status of the structure is presently unknown to Living New Deal. A visit to Leming revealed one former school building that fit the architectural bill of a school constructed during that era, now part of a sheriff's annex at the southeast corner of U.S....

The federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds provided funding for the construction of the old 1936 high school in Moxee, Washington. The PWA provided a grant of $29,176; the total cost of the project was $69,437. The current function of the building, which still stands, is unknown to Living New Deal.