Works Progress Administration (WPA) Sites

The WPA carried out construction and improvements on Commandant Gade in Charlotte Amalie. Road construction and improvements carried out by the WPA in the Virgin Islands typically included “clearing the old roadway widening existing curves, blasting rock from the road surface and drains, relocating where necessary, installing culverts, preparing the subgrade and placing the bituminous macadam surface.”

The Works Progress Administration installed new sewer lines on Commandant Gade in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

Built the playing field consisting of running track, 2 high jumps, pole vault, shot put, broad jump, pit and runway, equipment house; remodeled training quarters; surfaced basketball court and painted grandstands--Healy, p.72. This facility operated as the High School of Commerce Athletic Field until 1952. By 1980, it had been razed to make room for the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. A plaque on the corner of the building at Hayes and Van Ness now commemorates the dynamic history of this city block.

Originally built as the community's high school, one of the facilities that makes up what is now Commerce Middle School campus was constructed as a New Deal project. The 136' x 103' structure, which features a gymnasium, was "initiated by the Oklahoma Emergency Relief Administration and finished by WPA labor." It is located along S Cherry St., as opposed to Commerce St.

Originally known as "City Park," the oldest park in Brooklyn dates back to 1836. The park became a popular place after the WPA significantly redeveloped the park in 1939-1940. The WPA relocated old trees and constructed baseball, football, basketball and handball facilities. On June 7, 1940, the Parks Department held a ceremony to celebrate the park's official re-opening. Robert Moses, Mayor LaGuardia and the NYC Work Projects Administrator presided, and the ceremony was attended by 2,000 people. The following year, the WPA completed further work, erecting chain link fences and portable bleachers for the park's two baseball diamonds.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted substantial improvement work at the historic Commonwealth Armory. The facility was demolished in 2002. The details—including description, Official Project Numbers, total costs, and sponsors—of more than a dozen W.P.A. projects undertaken at the armory can be found in the DoD Heritage Assessment cited below.

The Commonwealth Post Office in Fullerton, California was funded by the Department of the Treasury and constructed in 1939 in only 7 months. This New Deal project provided work for 40 men.  At the time, it was the City of Fullerton’s first and only post office until 1962. It was also the first building in the city that was federally owned.  The post office was designed by the Office of the Supervising Architecture. It is a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival building. The Post Office still exists today and still houses a mural called “Orange Pickers” by Paul Julian.  The Commonwealth Post Office is...

The oil-on-canvas mural Orange Pickers by Paul Julian is the only Works Progress Administration (WPA) post office mural in Orange County. It was painted in 1941 or 1942 at the Federal Arts Studio in Los Angeles and then installed in the lobby of the post office in 1942.  The 6 foot by 13 foot mural depicts images of Fullerton industries including citrus, oil and aviation. The style of the mural is known as regionalism which was very popular during this time period. This mural was Julian’s last public arts project. Julian then went on to have a successful career in the...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a combination community building and auditorium in Anderson, Indiana in 1937. The location and status of the structure is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the community building in Douglass, Kansas in 1936. A large stone in the front of the building identifies it as such. The building was nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community building in Goltry, Oklahoma. The status and location of this $8,247.78 project is unknown to Living New Deal.

This simple community building was constructed by the WPA in 1937. The town's fire station is housed in the right hand side of the building.

"Built in 1940 by the WPA, this building remains a "Community Building" today. There's nothing more fun than driving through a small Oklahoma town, rounding a corner, and "discovering" a WPA-constructed building. In Oklahoma, a great many are built out of the red native sandstone. This Community Building is built of rusticated natural stone which projects unevenly, giving it an appealing look. There is a bronze WPA shield to the left of the entrance near the southwest corner, and another shield at the northeast corner. These read: USA / 1940 / WPA / Oklahoma. On the southeast corner of the building,...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a combination community building and auditorium in Monticello, Indiana in 1937. The location and status of the structure is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community building in North Vernon, Indiana. Work was completed by 1936. The location and status of the structure is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a combination community building and auditorium in Pendleton, Indiana in 1936. The location and status of the structure is unknown to Living New Deal.

The historic former Ranier Community Building was constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), ca. 1936-7.

In 1939 the Federal Works Progress Administration completed construction of this community building. Both the Waymarking site for this building and the Oklahoma Historic Preservation Survey make note of the architectural style of the building which is unique among WPA buildings. This WPA construction project provided employment for unemployed workers in the area and has remained a centerpiece of the city, hosting dances, concerts, wrestling matches, and other entertainment activities over the years. It now serves as the home of the American Legion.  

This WPA community building is still in use: "A single-story, modified-U-shaped...structure, the Wagoner community building is constructed of cut but unrusticated native sandstone laid in rough courses with deeply incised mortar... The style of the building is similar to so-called 'park' architecture, i.e. that found in most of Oklahoma's state parks and constructed generally by the CCC."   (www.okhistory.org) The c. 1941 building is still in use as a community building today.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community building and gymnasium in Helmsburg, Indiana. Constructed of native timber, the "interior is finished in beaver board. Asphalt shingles were used as the exterior covering. Lumber used for the window and and door frames and casings and other wood trimmings was dressed by hand. The floor also was sanded by hand as electric current was not available." The location and status of the structure is unknown to Living New Deal; however, we believe it to be demolished.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community building near Washington Park in Indianapolis, Indiana. The building is located at the northeast corner of 30th St. and Lasalle St., and appears to be part of a church property.

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community building and gymnasium in Little York, Indiana. The building, which is located at the southwest corner of N School Rd. and W Mill Rd., is now privately owned. "The Little York community building provides an example of a structure built almost entirely of native timber. Work on the building was started under a Federal Emergency Relief Administration project which was responsible for the sawing of 34,000 feet of timber. The structure, which is 90 by 50 feet, contains a basketball floor, a stage, galleries and two small...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community building and gymnasium in Wadesville, Indiana. The building was later remodeled and served as a VFW Post. Now privately owned, it has been again remodeled and better resembles its original appearance. The shop even bears its original wood floor! "The Wadesville building, dedicated recently, is typical of the structures being erected under the project. It is of one-story frame construction, 100 by 64 feet in size with a high arched roof supported by heavy steel framework. It is lised throughout with celotex. A regulation size basketball floor surrounded by bench type bleachers with a...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a community center for African American residents of Wilson Hollow, Charleston, Kanawha County. The exact location and condition of this structure are unknown to the Living New Deal. The May  7, 1938 the Charleston Gazette notes that construction started in 1936 and “WPA Grant for Negro Social Center Received.” The Charleston Daily Mail, 6 May 1938 also reported that “Negro Center Fund Granted.” Article cites work began “two years ago” and could resume. Noted allocation of $2,246 for the project with funds “practically all for labor.” “The building including an auditorium and classrooms is used instead as a social, recreational and training...

This one-story red brick building was completed in 1939 by the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). The school has long been gone. The building which is located on Douglas Avenue in the northwest part of Clearview, is currently being used as the Community Center. A porch has been added to the front, and remodeling has been done on the interior, including adding dropped ceilings, a dining area and kitchen facilities. Portions of a rock wall can still be seen which surrounded the entire school campus. A concrete cornerstone on the southeast corner has raised letters on the south side reading "WPA". The...

At an election in February 1937, the voters were given the task to decide whether or not Dunning would have a new community building. The vote was three to one in favor of building the auditorium. The building would be built in the city park. The $14,000.00 building would be completely equipped “for any high class entertainment.” In March 1938, word was received from Washington D.C. that the Dunning Community Building project had been approved. Although funds from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) had not yet been appropriated, the project would go forward. It was thought that, as drawn, the plans...

A community hall was constructed in Gretna, Nebraska by the Work Projects Administration (WPA) ca. 1940. The location and status of the facility is unknown to Living New Deal.

This is a one-story native sandstone building with a gabled roof, built by the Federal Works Progress Administration in 1937.  On both sides of the walls flanking the entrance, a concrete panel shows the stamped WPA shield. The concrete lintel for these doors is engraved "OAK LAWN DIST. 273". This area may have contained more buildings in the past, but this classroom building is all that remains. This building is still in use as the local Community Center.

The gorgeous community center in Pence, Wisconsin, located on the south side of Trezona St. between Maple St. and Cedar St., was constructed by the Work Projects Administration (WPA) in 1941. Lake Shore Visitor: "Last year, through a WPA project, a community center was erected. It contains a large gymnasium, a library, a meeting room, garage, and fire-fighting equipment space. A recreational program providing entertainment facilities for all age groups has been established."

The stunning Springfield Community Center (originally Community Hall) in Springfield, Nebraska was constructed by the Work Progress Administration (WPA) between 1938 and 1940. Construction leveraged locally quarried sandstone, which "bolstered the local economy by employing area men."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community center in Strang, Oklahoma. Per The Daily Mayes County Democrat: "WPA assistance has been responsible for many community center buildings in this section of the state. Shown here is a native stone building at Strang which is used as a school gymnasium and community hall. Many large gatherings are held here which otherwise could not be accommodated in the Strang neighborhood." The location and status of the building is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a community center in Talcott, Summers County. The project started under the Emergency Relief Administration. The two-story brick structure housed a gymnasium, an auditorium, a stage, dressing rooms, and rooms for social gatherings. The exact location and condition of this facility are unknown to the Living New Deal.

This stone building was erected in 1936 with WPA funds as the local community center. It currently serves as the local library and sits next to the police station on Main Street.

A community center at First Avenue and Franklin St. in Evansville, Indiana, which has since been torn down, was constructed with funds and labor provided by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The facility was also home to a WPA sewing project that provided employment for 750 women.

The former Hastings Community Center at 401 North Main Street in Hastings, Florida was constructed as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. The building was designed in the Masonry Vernacular style with Art Deco elements. NRHP nomination form: "In February 1934, Hastings's municipal government initiated what proved to be the town's largest and most visible project associated with the New Deal. At a special meeting convened in the offices of the Whitehouse Barrel Company, the town's officials and several residents gathered to discuss improving the town and providing a few temporary jobs, in part, through the use...

Buff brick building. Main section is two stories, with one story wings on each side. There is a plaque on the main/center section " Works Progress Administration 1935-1937" The Desdemona School (grades 1-12) was built in 1922 and expanded as a WPA project completed in 1937. It finally closed in 1969. The building is now the Desdemona Community Center.

"Located on 3rd Street, west of Broadway, this rock-constructed WPA project was originally the Edmond Community Center. Its cornerstone is dated March 30, 1936. It later became the home of the Edmond Senior Citizens until 2005, and now houses the U R Special Ministries. A ramp, awning and building extension have been added to this original building."   (https://www.waymarking.com)

In 1937, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community center and adjoining public library (today's Historical Museum) in El Monte, CA. The adobe-style structures were built of reinforced concrete and stucco. The community center originally housed city offices, meeting rooms for clubs and organizations, a pair of auditoriums with capacities of 250 and 600, as well as a large kitchen and several kitchenettes. Today, the community center houses administrative offices and meeting rooms available for public use. According to his daughter, JoAnn Ells Ebele, El Monte's Depression-era City Engineer Joseph C. Ells traveled to Washington, D.C., to secure the approval of...

"In 1936, with funding supplied by the Federal Government through an agency called the "Works Progress Administration" (WPA), and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Town of Mercer started work on the Mercer Community Center/Public Library. Constructed entirely of pine logs from the area, it consisted of a main hall and a small area to house the library."   (https://www.mercerwi.com) "The WPA workers who built this hall were all Finish woodsmen. The building is made of hand hewn pine logs, cut to fit together without mortar."  (https://newdeal.feri.org) The building fell into disrepair in the late 1950s, but the town remodeled it in the...

The Lodgepole Community Hall was dedicated in November 1936 in a ceremony the Harlem News called an interesting mix of "Indian tribal tradition and modern governmental activity." In fact, that mix can be seen in the hall itself. Works Progress Administration (WPA) crews built the hall with timber likely logged in the Little Rockies by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Both the WPA and CCC were New Deal programs aimed at putting people to work in the midst of the Depression. The hall’s log walls—now concealed by exterior siding—reflected the Rustic style often favored by the WPA. Inside...