Work Relief Programs Sites

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) resurfaced Argyle Rd. and Dundee Rd. in Arlington, MA. The W.P.A. installed sidewalks along these roads as well.

The Arizona Museum of Natural History is housed in a building that was originally the Mesa City Hall. The structure was built in 1937 with Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds and labor, and was designed by Lescher & Mahoney. The new civic building complex  housed the new City Hall, the fire department, the police department, municipal offices, municipal courts, a jail, the city library, the Chamber of Commerce, new public restrooms, and other functions. At the time the complex was built, Mesa was a small farming community of circa 5,000 residents. The structure is designed in Mission Revival style with typical features such as...

The New Deal helped construct the 9-mile road from Fort Valley Road (Highway 180) to the Arizona Snow Bowl ski area on Mt. Agassiz in the San Francisco Peaks, northwest of Flagstaff AZ. In the winter of 1938, the 20-30 Club, a Flagstaff service group, held a "snow carnival" on the southwest slope of Mt. Agassiz. It was so successful that the group ran a contest to choose a name for the area, and "Arizona Snow Bowl" was selected. The Coconino National Forest managers saw the opportunity to help advance the ski resort and offered to build a better access road up...

The Works Progress Administration built the grandstand at the Arizona State Fair grounds in Phoenix. "As the Great Depression deepened and thousands were uprooted and looking for work, numerous fairgrounds were turned into camps for these transients. The Arizona State Fairgrounds provided a temporary place to stay and an opportunity to earn money through labor. Funded by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and later the Works Progress Administration, transients helped to construct the stadium. A fifty-foot grandstand, an adobe wall on three sides of the grounds, and an auto racing track inside the horse track were created in 1936. Exhibit buildings...

The Works Progress Administration built additions for the Arizona State Hospital (also known as the Arizona State Hospital for the Insane) in Phoenix. The present condition of the structures in unknown to the Living New Deal.

In 1940, the Works Program Administration (WPA) constructed the dormitory complex called Irish Hall on the south side of the campus of what was then the Arizona State Normal School, now Arizona State University. Irish Hall consists of three separate wings (A, B & C buildings) around a courtyard. The buildings are plain, two-story Moderne style structures with horizontal streamlining and metal frame windows.  They still function as dormitories (which means that today access is closed to the public). There is a WPA plaque in the entrance way.

The Moeur Building was built in 1939 by the Works Projects Administration (WPA). It is the only adobe building on campus and the design is Southwest (Pueblo) Revival. The exterior is intact and well maintained, and there is a WPA stamp on the front steps (though no plaque or cornerstone).  The interior beyond the lobby appears to have been modernized (but this need corroboration). The building is named after Benjamin Baker Moeur, M.D., who served as the official physician for the Arizona Territorial Normal School (now Arizona State University) and served two terms as governor of Arizona.   Today, the Moeur Building houses...

"In 1937, the Museum of Fine Arts opened in MacArthur Park. Franklin Delano Roosevelt approved $25,000 from the WPA for construction of the 10,140 square foot building. FDR wrote a letter of congratulations to the citizens of Little Rock to be read at the opening." The original Museum of Fine Arts Museum entrance is now an interior wall of the expanded and since-renamed Arkansas Arts Center. "Located in historic MacArthur Park; contains an international collection of art and special exhibitions; live theatre performances for family audiences; lectures, films, poetry slams and family festivals; Museum Shop features works by notable artisans; lunch at Best Impressions...

This large school was built by the WPA in 1939 and is still in us. "Arkansas's WPA program began in July 1935 under state administrator William R. Dyess and provided money for numerous social services and infrastructure improvement projects.  Social programs in the state included the School Lunch Program, the Commodity Distribution Program, and the Adult Education Program.  While these programs fed, clothed, and educated many Arkansans, the WPA is perhaps better remembered for the roads, bridges, and buildings it constructed.  Pulaski County used the $13.4 million it received from the federal government--more than any other Arkansas county--for projects like the...

The federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) furnished the labor for the restoration of the last territorial capitol grounds of Arkansas, during the latter years of the Great Depression. The site now houses the Historic Arkansas Museum. The institution states on its website: " Loughborough began a one-woman campaign to save the block, lobbying the Arkansas Legislature for funding to restore the buildings and have them preserved as the Arkansas Territorial Restoration. The museum formally opened in July 1941." In 1940 the WPA wrote: "This project, located in the downtown business district, has restored the grounds and buildings of the last territorial capitol...

"The stables, constructed in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), are an important record of the federal relief programs administered on Colorado’s eastern plains during the Great Depression. The stables were one of a series of WPA improvement projects at the Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds that provided a significant source of employment. It is the best surviving example of WPA work in Rocky Ford. The WPA used adobe for many of its eastern Colorado projects as it was both inexpensive and labor intensive—a good fit with the agency’s objectives to ensure that most of the money went to labor rather...

St. Nicholas Park is a long stretch of park between Harlem and Manhattanville, reaching from 127th St. to 141st St. The park contains two playgrounds. The larger one at 129th St., known as St. Nicholas Playground, opened before the New Deal in 1931. A July 1934 Department of Parks press release announced the opening of a second playground at the opposite end of the park near 141st St.. When it opened, the 200 ft. by 60 ft. playground contained an "open pavilion, a comfort station and a wading pool which can be converted into a basketball court, and slides, jungle...

The Arlington Heights Recreation Center, which was built between 1936 and 1939, was created through the Works Progress Administration. The idea for the project was first conceived in 1934, but financial support did not become available to start the building of the Center until 1936. The community could not fund the project on its own, but it still wanted to provide its citizens with some sort of community recreation center. When a straw vote failed to pass the plans for a public swimming facility, Arlington Heights reached out to officials in Washington and of the WPA for $200,000 in funding to...

Arlington Heights Senior High School was one of five monumental high schools built in Fort Worth, Texas through the Public Works Administration (PWA). It was designed by local architect Preston M. Geren and built by Butcher and Sweeney in 1936-37 in the Georgian Revival style. The three-story central block is flanked by one-story arcaded wings. The landscape improvements were designed by Hare & Hare of Kansas City, MO and implemented by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The large campus was given a park-like treatment with a formal reflecting pool in front of the school and a long vista extending south from the rear. Also...

David M. Hartz, superintendent of Arlington’s schools, requested from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a mural of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox to adorn the walls of Arlington High School as a memorial of the folkloric past of the Pacific Northwest (and Arlington’s past as a lumber town). According to the February 1940 issue of the Washington Education Journal, “His inquiry to the WPA Art Project brought a happy response: ‘Yes, artists were available, and a mural could be done for very little cost.’” The result was that Washington-based artist Richard Correll painted the nine by twelve foot mural,...

Project cards in the National Archives index describes extensive work to be undertaken by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Arlington National Cemetery in 1938-41.   "Reconstruct and improve roads and streets in Arlington National Cemetery Reservation located near Fort Myer in Arlington County; Improve buildings, grounds and utilities of the Arlington National Cemetery by painting, brick and carpentry work, razing old buildings, grading, top soiling, seeding, planting trees, spraying and shrubs, setting and realigning headstones, rebuilding rubble masonry wall, rip-rapping streams, laying drain pipe; Improve and enlarge existing facilities and improve grounds at Arlington National Cemetery. The work includes installing...

Town annual report: The following work has been done under projects, since April, 1934: Arlington Street from Newtown Road, widening and grading 3600 feet to December 27, using sixteen men, 1 foreman, four trucks from November 8 to December 27.

The single story Colonial Revival Administration building for the school was constructed in 1936 by the WPA.

"A number of other APS buildings were built, remodeled, or had additions built as the result of this source of this source of funding. Likewise adjacent school playgrounds, ball fields, etc. were also created. The schools include Armijo, Coronado, Duranes, Five Points School, La Mesa, Lincoln, Los Candelarias, Pajarito, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Stronghurst. For specific information on each of these refer to the Albuquerque Museum Monograph written by Charles Biebel." -Treasures on New Mexico Trails

According to a DoD Heritage Report, the W.P.A. constructed an armory in Bainville, Montana. Assuming this project was undertaken, the location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Number 65‐91‐1605

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Chinook, Montana. Official Project Number 65-91-1602. According to local newspaper articles, the new armory was initial used as a civic center for various community events, as well as a jail, and office space for the neighboring Blaine County Courthouse. Today the building still serves at the Blaine County Courthouse Annex as well as the Chinook ambulance barn.  

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Marion, Montana. The facility is located at southeast corner corner of Broadway Ave. and 3rd St. E. Official Project Number 65‐91‐160X

"During the 1930s, UTNG used federal money, often supplied through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), to build or expand a number of UTNG facilities. The WPA funded eight armories and several garage and storage areas for the UTNG. By 1940, 13 armories were in use by the Utah Guard including" that in Fillmore. "A bronze plaque on the east pilaster on the north elevation reads: “Fillmore Armory Constructed by Utah State Armory Board, Fillmore City and the Works Progress Administration 1937.”  The Fillmore Armory was designed by Niels P. Larsen, an architect who designed many buildings while working with the Works...

The historic National Guard armory in Hartsville, South Carolina was constructed by the Work Projects Administration from 1939 to 1940. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The striking PWA Moderne-style National Guard Armory in Hiawatha, Kansas was constructed in 1938 by the Works progress Administration (WPA). The armory is still in service. The building bears two plaques, dating construction to 1938 to 1939.

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Kalispell, Montana. The location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. "Construct Armory building" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐114 Total project cost: $82,810.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Provide Armory building" Official Project Number: 65‐91‐6556 "Construct armory building" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐114 Total project cost: $141,008.00 Sponsor: Montana State Armory Board

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Marion, Montana. The location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Number 65‐91‐1601

"Located at the northwest corner of W. 2nd and Alabama Streets, west of downtown Okmulgee, this armory was built by the WPA and completed in 1936. It was constructed of native limestone, quarried nearby and gave work to between 300 and 400 local workers, bringing $68,000 into the economy of the town. It housed Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 179th Infantry and also Company K, 179th Infantry of the 45th Infantry Division. Uniquely, members of Company K helped with the building, providing 6000 hours of labor in construction and landscaping of their new home. As is the case in most of the...

According to a DoD Heritage Report, the W.P.A. constructed an armory in Poplar, Montana. The location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Numbers 65‐91‐1603, and 165‐1‐91‐93 .

According to a DoD Heritage Report, the W.P.A. constructed an armory in Sidney, Montana. Assuming this project was undertaken, the location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Number 65‐91‐1593

"The WPA armory in Springfield sits atop a hill off Main Street in downtown Springfield. This building still retains a high degree of integrity and is now owned by the city. It serves as a community recreation center and the home of the city fire, rescue and ambulance services. A DES office is also located on the second floor of the building. "The first armory in Springfield was completed in 1941 by the Works Progress Administration... and dedicated in 1942. The armory is located at the top of a hill on Armory Hill Road which leads out of downtown Springfield....

"The Tonkawa Armory is located east of the downtown area on North Street. The armory is rectangular (136' x 124') and constructed of native limestone in the Romanesque style. The architect firm was Nolan, Bryan, Ahler. The roof is concrete and flat with parapets on the front (south) and west sides. An arched metal gable roof is located over the drill area. "The front which faces south has four overhead garage doors, and a single entry door recessed into the slightly projected entry bay. The west elevation is similar in construction. The windows are fixed single units. "The armory was constructed in...

The Watonga Armory was constructed between 1935 and 1937 as a WPA project. This can be documented by the bronze shield above the entrance, and the cornerstone. The armory was placed on the National Register in 1994. This is a very typical WPA-constructed Armory in Oklahoma, although the decorative brickwork shows a high degree of masonry skill. The south end of the building has a barrel-shaped roof and was the drill area. The two-story, flat-roofed North end has rooms for offices, supplies and arms on the second floor, and a garage area on the ground floor with overhead doors. The main facade...

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Whitehall, Montana. The location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Number 65‐91‐1592

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Wolf Point, Montana. "In the WPA records, an armory is listed in the same line with roads. The armory and barracks were near the courthouse, today's library, and the Coliseum. Without the WPA funding, the Coliseum, which was torn down to make way for the new Senior Center, was an option for a courthouse." W.P.A. Official Project Number 65‐91‐160X

The Works Progress Administration built an armory in Yale, OK in 1936. Contributor note: "The Armory in Yale, as with most Oklahoma armories, was constructed by the WPA. This stone armory is located at 200 S. Main, and appears to be either vacant, or perhaps used by the town for storage. The armory faces East and has two wooden doors located in a slightly projected fortress-style bay. The tall window units are multi-pane casement. One overhead vehicle door is located at the northeast corner. A cornerstone is located on the northeast corner and reads: 'State Armory Built by Works Progress Administration 1936 W.S. Key State...

The armory for Yazoo City was funded by the WPA with a projected cost of $52,000. Located on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Twelfth Street, it was intended for use as the armory, auditorium, and other public use. The monolithic concrete building was designed by architect N. W. Overstreet. The city provided about $20,000 through the bond sales for their contribution. Harris & Knowles was awarded contract for reinforcing steel, H. L. White Lumber Company for the lumber, and W. H. Johnston for electrical work. Lack of available WPA labor and materials shortages resulted in a delay of completion....

"During the 1930s, UTNG used federal money, often supplied through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), to build or expand a number of UTNG facilities. The WPA funded eight armories and several garage and storage areas for the UTNG. By 1940, 13 armories were in use by the Utah Guard including" that in Cedar City. The location of the historic armory is presently unknown to Living New Deal. The building has since been demolished.

"During the 1930s, UTNG used federal money, often supplied through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), to build or expand a number of UTNG facilities. The WPA funded eight armories and several garage and storage areas for the UTNG. By 1940, 13 armories were in use by the Utah Guard including" that in Logan. The location of the historic armory is presently unknown to Living New Deal. The building has since been demolished.

"During the 1930s, UTNG used federal money, often supplied through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), to build or expand a number of UTNG facilities. The WPA funded eight armories and several garage and storage areas for the UTNG. By 1940, 13 armories were in use by the Utah Guard including" that in Spanish Fork. The historic armory in Spanish Fork has since been demolished.