Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) Sites

The Washington Park Zoo is thought to be the only zoo completely designed and landscaped by the WPA (Works Progress Administration) and its predecessor agencies (FERA – Federal Emergency Relief Administration, and CWA – Civil Works Administration.) It spans across 15 acres on a hilly sand dune in Michigan City, IN, close to the southeastern tip of Lake Michigan and to this day houses more than 220 animals of 90 different species from around the world. Planning for a zoo board first began when Albert R. Couden was appointed city manager in 1928. He hoped the zoo would work as a...

In 1934 the Civil Works Adminiistration (C.W.A.) and Emergency Relief Administration (E.R.A.) conducted the following improvement work along part of Washington St. in the City of Barre: The street was widened, graded, drained, slopes sodded and granite retaining walls built. The W.P.A. removed disused street car rails from the street in 1938.

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) each worked to develop the Washoe Country Club in Reno, Nevada. The historic golf course is still in use today. Work began in May 1935 (by the FERA) and the course was completed in October 1936 (by the WPA).  The course was built on the site of the original Reno airfield.

Municipal reports from Nashua's local governments documented extensive New Deal work on the cities water and sewer systems during the 1930s: 1933 Mayor Alvin Lucier reported: "As we take over the reins of government today, we do so with abiding faith that it shall continue its progress. Such is the pledge that we make to the people who have chosen us as their representatives. Although he was against mortgaging our city's future by bond issues, Mr. Sullivan saw a duty to co-operate with President Roosevelt's program started last summer, when the federal government provided over three billion dollars for public works in...

In December 1934, Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) labor was busy building two water conservation dams in Brown County northwest of Ainsworth. The dams were built on the farms of Mr. L. D. Crawford and Mr. Fred Wallenstein. Five additional dams were planned for other farmsteads in the Buffalo Flat section of the county. The applicant paid for materials and the labor was funded by the reemployment office.

Barre relied heavily on federal funds and labor during the Great Depression to improve and develop its water distribution system. The city's annual reports attest that work began under the Emergency Relief Administration (E.R.A.) and persisted several years with the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.). As part of these efforts, larger water mains were installed under many roads; older mains were dug up, relaid, and lowered further underground to prevent winter freezing; and the network was generally expanded.

Two New Deal work relief programs: the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) were responsible for a massive project to improve and expand the water supply for Asheville. In addition to a dam and accompanying facilities at the North Fork / Burnett Reservoir, the project included extensive pipe work. Asheville Citizen-Times: "Begun Under CWA In 1933, Resumed By FERA In 1934 With completion of the North Pork water line project by forces of the North Carolina Emergency Relief administration recently, the supply of water from the North Fork watershed has been doubled. The project consisted of the removal of eight...

The Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) constructed water mains in Maynard, Massachusetts, including along an 850-foot stretch of Parker St. in 1934. It and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) conducted repairs at the town's pumping station that year. Work was continued in subsequent years by the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.).

In 1934 the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) completed a Civil Works Administration (CWA) to dramatically expand the capabilities of the water supply system for Tazewell, Virginia. The project included laying seven miles of six-inch water line. Plans also called for construction of a permanent reservoir.

Ashland's water system was greatly expanded during the 1930s as a result of federal assistance. Work included: High St.: The federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) extended the water main system along High Street in 1933. The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed wells there in 1935. Union St.: The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) extended the water system along Union St., E. Union St., and W. Union St. starting in 1935. Metropolitan Ave. (W.P.A., started 1935) Olive St. (W.P.A., started 1935) Cedar St. (W.P.A., 1937) Tri St. and Eliot St. (W.P.A., 1937) Prospect St. (W.P.A., 1937)

"Some of the early projects implemented  included ... lowering the water lines in Monticello to make the water cooler and help retard leakege."

The Civil Works Administration (CWA), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) supported the construction of welfare housing in Houlton ME between 1933 and 1935. Excerpts from the Annual Town Reports, Houlton Maine: 1933 Partial Cost of Houses Constructed For Welfare Department 13 people involved and the Houlton Planing Mill $1,337.83 Welfare Department – Labor Expenses 41 men employed as laborers $1,525.00 paid from R.F.C. Account. ADMINISTRATION Besides the High School lot, the Chairman personally supervised the building of six small houses which were occupied when built by those unable at that time to own or rent homes. Report of Federal Activities...

"Financed by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, work started May 24, 1935, on a project of grading Prospect Park, removing mud and silt from the Wepawaug River, and building riprap walls on the river bank. This work, completed October 31, 1935, stood the severe test imposed by the flood waters that rushed down the little river during the excessive rainfall which preceded the hurricane of September 21, 1938."

In 1933-34, the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) carried out pavement repair and other unspecified improvements to a long segment of West Virginia Avenue NE, from Mount Olivet Road to New York Avenue.   The road was paved with “temporary material consisting of broken-concrete base, broken stone, and slag. These large aggregates are choked with smaller material, and an application of asphaltic cement completes the operation. This construction forms a very good temporary roadway.”   The work is likely still extant, but paved over several times since then.    

Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) built an addition to the West Virginia Children's Home in Elkins in 1935.

In 1935-36, Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) carried out repairs to a half-mile segment of Western Avenue, from Wisconsin Avenue to Fessenden Street.   The road was paved with “temporary material consisting of broken-concrete base, broken stone, and slag. These large aggregates are choked with smaller material, and an application of asphaltic cement completes the operation. This construction forms a very good temporary roadway.”   The work is likely still extant, but invisible beneath subsequent repaving.  

The Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) and Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) supplied labor for Maynard town projects White Pond in 1934. In addition to planting trees, workers cleaned its banks of brush and dead wood, and cut wood for other purposes. White Pond, an important component of Maynard's water supply system, is physically split among Hudson and Stow townships. Work was continued by the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.).

"The park is associated with several Great Depression era federal relief programs. Constructed between 1933 and 1938 under the Civil Works Administration (CWA), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), creation of the park provided a source of employment in Lamar during much of the Depression. Willow Creek Park was Colorado’s first CWA project and the first planned park in Lamar, providing a location for active and passive recreation activities. A prominent feature of the city, the park’s buildings and stone features are good examples of the Rustic style as interpreted by New Deal agencies....

Montpelier's 40th Annual Report details many roadwork projects undertaken in 1934 with Vermont Emergency Relief Administration (V.E.R.A.) funds, including: "Wilson Street and George Street, stone base and graveling".

"The Winslow High School, with a modern building costing nearly $175,000, had no satisfactory grounds for athletic contests. The lot upon which the High School was built was very uneven, a brook and gully running through the middle. The town had raised a fund for grading the lot and upon completion of the grading for the Building and tennis courts, there was only $2,300 left for grading the remainder of the four acre lot. This was inadequate and no work had been done other than some fill being placed by local manufacturing companies and others using it as a dump. When the...

Oxford, Massachusetts's old Woodward School received assistance from multiple New Deal programs during the 1930s. In 1933 the Civil Works Administration (CWA) graded a playground at the school and painted and decorated the building, a project which, town reports state, is "a work that does great credit to those having it in charge." The school grounds were further improved and graded during 1934 utilizing funds provided by the federal Emergency Relief Administration. The building still houses educational facilities, though it is no longer known as the Woodward School.

Multiple New Deal agencies carried out improvement, development, and/or construction work at what was then Wrentham State School (now Wrentham Developmental Center). Annual Report: "Much valuable work has been done at the institution during the year through the use of funds provided by the C.W.A., F.E.R.A. and P.W.A. Nine out of many projects presented were approved at the beginning of the C.W.A. activities, and few were completed ..." "The projects sponsored by the government on the P.W.A. program, namely the addition to the laundry, which has been built but is not yet equipped, and the fourth nursery building which will be completed this summer, are progressing satisfactorily."

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out new road construction on Yaurel Road in Arroyo.