Works Progress Administration (WPA) Sites

Below is the first official photo view of the Golden Gate International Exhibition a few years prior to its opening in 1939. And apparently based on the photo is the original WPA, 9' x 6' oil on canvas mural. Artist unknown.

Funds for a seawall and fill for the exposition site were provided through a $3,043,000 WPA grant. Another WPA grant of $1,296,000 provided for roadways, a causeway, trestles, landscaping, and drainage of water systems. A PWA grant of $1,711,000, matched in part by local funds, provided for paving, ferry slips and some buildings. Private funding for the exhibition were raised through private subscriptions, through the sale of bonds. A 1940 WPA publication describes the construction of Treasure Island as follows: "Dedicated November 21, 1937, Yerba Buena Shoals, more popularly known as Treasure Island, was raised from beneath the waters of the bay through the handling...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) photo pictured here describes the project shown above as a "general view of activities on the mammoth treatment plant that is being constructed by WPA in conjunction with the new two and one half million dollar Ley Creek sewer system."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a sewer treatment plant, as well as sewer lines, in Hay Springs, Nebraska. The location and status of the facility is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a tree-planting project throughout Irvington, New Jersey beginning in 1936. The WPA planted 700 trees in the city at a total cost of $15,844.50, with the WPA supplying $12,132.

The WPA undertook a tree-planting project from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10, 1935 in Scarsdale, New York. The WPA appropriated $1,422 for labor. The project was recommended by the Village Engineer and planning board.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was active in Jerome, a copper mining town hit hard by the Great Depression.  The WPA hired out-of-work miners for several projects in Jerome and nearby towns. One of those projects was planting trees to stabilize the steep hillside on which the town is built (like so many western mining towns).  The favorite tree for the job was the tough, fast-growing Ailanthus, or Chinese Tree of Heaven. Since the species readily spreads by root suckers, they are all over the town to this day.  But the harsh climate of Jerome, varying from winter snow to desert heat,...

The WPA assisted with the replanting of trees in Southold, NY under the "technical supervision of the L. I. State Park Commission," with a WPA grant covering the cost of the program.

Until 1987, Tremont Park was a part of Crotona Park, which was completely redone by the WPA in 1934-41. "When the Cross-Bronx Expressway was built in 1948-1972, Crotona Park was split into two parks. The larger piece south of the Expressway is still called Crotona Park; the smaller piece to its north is now called Tremont Park. This explains why in some places, Crotona Park is said to have 155 acres, and in others only 127. Even though its name changed (twice), Tremont Park was indeed a WPA project. It was still called Crotona park until 1987, then it was...

Multiple New Deal agencies: the CWA, FERA, and WPA, worked to restore the historic Trent House in Trenton, New Jersey between 1934 and 1936. "The WPA work consisted of cleaning and pointing the brick on the Trent House and caretaker's home, painting work, building a wall surrounding the property, laying walks on the grounds, installing shutters inside the Trent House, and grading the grounds. WPA funds for the work were $9,081.89. The late J. Osborn Hunt was the architect of the work until his death, and he was succeeded by Samuel Mountford.

Four images "crafted of square tiles square tiles that frame the vestibule beneath the clock tower," collectively titled "Youth Carrying the Heritage of the Past into the Future," are located at Trenton Central High School. NJ.com, 2014: "The mosaics were designed for the school by muralist Monty Lewis. The work was commissioned through the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project and completed in 1941."   Additional Contributor note (January 2019): "The school building closed in 2014 and has been torn down.  The mosaics were removed and stored.  They will be installed in the new Trenton Central High School building that is being errected on the...

Trestle Glen Boulevard is a road about a mile long that connects the main road on the west shore of the Tiburon peninsula to the the main road on the east shore. It was completed circa 1937 as a WPA project. An old bridge on this road is likely WPA as well. The name Trestle Glen was not used until the 1950's. Before then it was called Reed's Road, probably because it was built on land belonging to Clothilde Reed, a descendant of the original Mexican land grantee John Reed. The name California City in the cited article refers to an area...

"Late in the ’30s, the Works Progress Administration built the Tri-City Airport in Endicott, N.Y."

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped to construct what was then known as McKellar Field during the Great Depression. Two runways of hard surface material, one 4,000 feet and one 3,000 feet, a two-story administration building with control tower, hangar, water supply system, lighting system, and drainage system were constructed the public airport, which served Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, and Sullivan County. At the time of construction it was the largest of the state's WPA airport projects, and cost $800,000 (not adjusted for inflation). The facility is now known as Tri-Cities Regional Airport.

From 1938 to 1939, the WPA constructed the first nine holes of the Tri-City Country Club golf course. From the course website: "The original Twin City Golf Club was formed in 1938. Back then the city of Kennewick purchased the property known as Hover’s Fountain Park from the KID for $100 for the purpose of creating a golf course. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked with the members of the Twin City Golf Club built the original 9 hole course. Kennewick specified in the first lease to the club that none of the materials or labor had been provided by...

Orangeburg, South Carolina's former Tri-County Hospital was constructed with federal Public Work Administration (PWA) funds during the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided support for construction of the hospital's nurses' dormitory. "In 1937 the W.P.A. approved a grant of $18,000 toward the construction of the student nurses' dormitory, which was to be built across the street. The total cost of this project was to be about $50,000. In April 1937, the voters of Orangeburg County approved a $60,000 bond referendum to help equip and furnish the new hospital, as well as pay $1,350 for the purchase of the lot...

Built in 1940-41 to serve as a multi-purpose community center for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, this tribal hall is the last known intact New Deal Indian Community Building left in Oregon. Its funding came through the Works Projects Administration (WPA), the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (IRA), and the Indian Division of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC-ID). The hall was designed to support what was then an unorganized group of Indians in southwestern Oregon in addressing economic, social, health and political needs. The functional building provided an auditorium to seat 300, a kitchen for canning...

The gym has been torn down. While still standing, it was used by the schoolchildren and also used by the people of the community as a recreational hall.

Built through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) between 1938 and 1939, this two story building is constructed of native limestone rock, with metal bars on the windows and doors. Has some cement ornamentation between the windows. Has a flat roof. Nice rounded entrance with rock benches on either side.

Under WPA project 5771, the WPA made over $26,000 worth of improvements to the park in 1937. WPA work in the park included the Trinity Park Shelter, and most likely many other improvements as well.

"As matured, the 250-acre enclave, which was divided into about 40 blocks, was notable for having a high concentration of the city’s most stylish apartments, as well as stately new churches and schools. An oak canopy shaded the streets, thanks to a 1930s Works Progress Administration planting project." (trinitypark.org)

The W.P.A. removed unneeded trolley rails in Middletown, CT. Project information: Description: "Remove trolley rails for salvage purposes" Official Project Number: 265‐1‐15‐79 Total project cost: $8,298.00 Sponsor: City of Middletown

The W.P.A. removed unneeded trolley rails in Norwich, CT. Project information: Description: "Remove abandoned car rails" Official Project Number: 265‐1‐15‐76 Total project cost: $58,398.00 Sponsor: City of Norwich

The W.P.A. removed unneeded trolley rails in Waterbury, CT. Project information: Description: "Remove trolley rails and restore track areas" Official Project Number: 265‐1‐15‐75 Total project cost: $56,550.00 Sponsor: City of Waterbury

A WPA project in West Reading, Pennsylvania involved the removal of trolley tracks from Penn Avenue.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Trout Creek bridge on state highway 58, a couple miles east of Santa Marguerita, in 1941.  This was part of a program of WPA road work all over San Luis Obispo County roads during the 1930s, as indicated by WPA "project cards" in the National Archives. WPA project cards are only indicative, however; they show which projects were planned, funded by the WPA and approved by President Franklin Roosevelt; they do not guarantee that the work was actually done, since the WPA usually proposed more projects than it could carry out.  In this case, the...

Kirk Memorial was built as the campus museum at the southern end of the north quad.  It has a design reminiscent of Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.

The north quad is still at the northernmost point of the Truman Sate University campus.  During the extensive construction that occurred during the 30’s, the north quad was renovated by landscape architects Hare & Hare from Kansas City.  The trees are now old and mature and the buildings continue to be used and are either being renovated or have undergone renovation.

The federal Work Projects Administration worked to improve Trumansburg Creek and surrounding land in Trumansburg, New York during the 1930s. One project, which cost $26,306 (of which the WPA contributed $17,466) was described by the WPA in its project rolls: "Improve Trumansburg Creek and surrounding park ... "including constructing retaining walls and wading pools, landscaping." Work occurred on both public and private property. On private lands the WPA improved "the creek bed and banks of creek."

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed and paved Tryon Avenue in Teaneck, New Jersey, an extension of West Palisade Avenue in Englewood to Teaneck Road. The road was considered a "necessary improvement for business development" in Englewood, as more residents of West Englewood (in Teaneck) would have access to the municipal road system and head to Englewood to shop.

The Tulare County Fairgrounds received extensive improvements from the WPA.

"The old Tularosa City Hall was constructed by the W.P.A. in 1941." -Waymarking

"In Tularosa, the Police Station remains the same inside and out, except for being painted periodically. It is another Pueblo Revival style blending perfectly with the New Mexico landscape." -Phyllis Eileen Banks

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a road from the base of Tule Canyon to the top, circa 1940. The WPA made cuts and fills through the canyon, graded the road and paved it with caliche. The length of road built is now part of Texas State Highway 207. The official project number was 65-1-66-400.

A plaque on the former Tuleta Grade School indicates the Works Progress Administration constructed the building between 1938 and 1940. No other details on the original construction have been found. The building burned around 2002. It is now privately owned and has been partially restored.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) created a site within the Tulsa Fairgrounds called the Tulsa Fairgrounds Cafeteria, which was finished during 1938. Currently, the cafeteria still remains standing. It has expanded many times since it was first built. Geographically, the Tulsa Fairgrounds Cafeteria spans just under less than one acre. The architecture of the cafeteria is unique. It was built upon an Art Deco style, and its foundation was brick. It’s a one-story rectangular shaped building that was surrounded by a running bond. The construction of this cafeteria was built to better serve the needs of those who attended the...

The Tumacácori National Monument was set aside by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 to protect the ruins of the Mission of San Jose de Tumacacori.  In 1918, it came under the administration of the National Park Service and its regional 'custodian', Frank Pinkley.  Congress created the Tumacácori National Historic Park in 1990, adding the ruins of two nearby missions, Los Santos Angeles de Guevavi and San Cayetano de Calabazas. Under the park service's guidance, Tumacácori mission church and its dependencies were stabilized in 1920-21, but intentionally not restored.  Only with the aid of the New Deal did the park come to...

The Works Progress Administration built sidewalks on several streets in Kingwood. Work on Tunnelton Street started in 1936.Kingwood National Register of Historic Places Nomination: (www.wvculture.org/shpo/nr/pdf/preston/94000723.pdf), accessed January 17, 2018.

Located on the east side of S 670 Rd., 0.3 north of E 240 Rd., the 23' x 30' "bus barn" at the former site of the Turkey Ford Elementary School was constructed by the Works Progress Administration ca. 1936. A building fitting the description given in the linked historical survey can be found using satellite imagery. Additional information is requested to confirm the identity of the building.

The picnic shelter, commonly known as Big Log Shelter, was completed in 1936. It was started as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project but was abandoned in 1935. The building was then completed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The shelter has three fireplaces and is classified as parks rustic.