Civic Facilities Sites

The St. Cloud Historical Marker in St. Cloud MN is a site that was constructed in 1937, by the NYA, a sub-unit of the WPA. The site was designed by A. R. Nichols and is a historical marker that commemorates the first commercial granite quarry in Minnesota, opened by Breen and Young in 1868, that was very important for the growth of St. Cloud. It was built from granite stones from the quarries located nearby, with rough and pointed rocks, unlike other markers and monuments with their more formal designs. It was placed on the side of highway 10 just...

The St. Helena Parish Courthouse was undertaken in Greensburg, Louisiana during the Great Depression with assistance of funds provided by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The Greensburg courthouse was one of two Louisiana courthouses built with WPA funds instead of support from the Public Works Administration (PWA) (Leighninger, 2001).

The Public Works Administration completed this expansion of St. James High School in 1940. The building's cornerstone was laid on October 11, 1940 by the Grand Masonic Lodge of Missouri, of which U.S. Senator and future President Harry S. Truman was Grand Master.

The St. Landry Parish Courthouse was undertaken in Opelousas, Louisiana during the Great Depression with the assistance of funds provided by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The facilities were part of the largest wave of courthouse construction in Louisiana history, with eleven total courthouses erected in the period of  1936-1940. Constructed with "Mayan setbacks at the top" and "deco light fixtures" (Leighninger, 2007), the courthouse cost $481,794.

The Alley Dwelling Authority funded the construction of the St. Mary’s Court Apartments in Washington DC between 1935 and 1938. The ADA was one of the earliest New Deal initiatives to provide better housing for low-income Americans. It replaced unsafe alley dwellings in Washington, DC with more modern and affordable houses and apartments. The ADA existed from 1934-1943 as a federally-controlled special authority. It then slowly evolved into today’s DC Housing Authority, an independent agency of the DC Government.

Established in 1875, in a Creole neighborhood northeast of the French Quarter, St. Roch Market is one of several public markets improved by the WPA in New Orleans in the late 1930s. By that time, the city supported 19 public grocery markets, many of which had fallen into disrepair and were threatened by demolition. The city turned to the WPA, which financed the improvement of eight public markets under the Market Rehabilitation program. This included making interior and exterior upgrades to six neighborhood markets and building two new ones. For the St. Roch Market, the WPA gutted the interior, replacing...

St. Thomas was one of six public housing projects constructed under the Housing Act of 1937. It was constructed 1938-1941 and contained 920 units of two or three story brick buildings. The architect's rendering for the St. Thomas Street project was "planned to provide maximum light, space and air; buildings about a central court, with cool porches" (Slum Clearance, 1938, p. 68). The housing authority began demolition and redevelopment in the late 1990s, but five or the original buildings were saved "for historical purposes" (St. Thomas Development Neighborhood). The buildings are on the corner of Felicity and St. Thomas streets...

The Stanislaus County Hall of Records in downtown Modesto, California, was constructed in 1938 with funding from the Public Works Administration (PWA).  It stands directly across from the old Modesto Post Office (now the El Viejo Building). The building has a central 5-story highrise section and one long, 3-story wing. The design is strikingly Modern, looking more like a structure built in the 1950s than the 1930s.  It remains in fine condition, serving its original purpose.

Stanley Holmes Village (a.k.a. Stanley Village) is a 420-unit low income housing project on Adriatic Avenue that was built in 1937 and expanded in 1951. Its the oldest public housing complex in New Jersey. Atlantic City was the first municipality in New Jersey to provide public housing to its constituents. The movement to establish public housing was initiated in 1933 with the organization of the Civic Committee for Better Housing – headed by Walter J. Buzby; Mrs. Warren Somers, Commissioner of the State Housing Authority; Naomi Craighead; Robert A. Watson, Manager of the Southern Division of the State Housing Authority; B.J....

The Works Progress Administration built the Stanton County Museum in Johnson KS in 1935. The structure is built of native stone.

The Alley Dwelling Authority (ADA) funded the construction of the Stanton Court Garages in Washington, DC between 1935 and 1936. This project consisted of seven 1-car garages located in the area bounded by L, M, 23rd, and 24th streets NW, probably in the alley that runs between today’s West End Neighborhood Library and the Gibson Condominiums. It is unknown to the Living New Deal if any remnants of the original Stanton Court Garages still exist, but it is unlikely. The ADA was one of the earliest New Deal initiatives to provide better housing for low-income Americans. It replaced unsafe alley dwellings in Washington,...

The Stark County Courthouse in Dickinson, ND was built as a Public Works Administration (PWA) project in 1937. The PWA supplied a $93,280 grant for the project (PWA Docket No. N.D. 1043-R). Short and Brown's PWA publication of 1939 describes the building: "This structure is three stories and a basement in height and is rectangular in plan. The second and third stories are set back from the outer walls of the first story, except at the main entrance. The basement contains an auditorium, committee and recreation rooms, office for the county engineer, vaults, and storage space. On the first floor are offices...

Rio Grande City, Texas's historic Moderne-style Starr County Courthouse was constructed as a federal Public Works Administration (PWA) project during the Great Depression. The building is still in use today. The PWA supplied a $64,000 loan and $52,363 grant toward the $116,783 total cost of the project. Work occurred between September 1938 and April 1939. (PWA Docket No. TX 8231)

"The State Armory is located on West Main Street, at the northeast corner of Osage Avenue. This is one block west of Broadway (Highway 75). The building is constructed of native sandstone, with an office area facing Main Street, and a barrel-roof arena to the north. It was constructed in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration. A cornerstone at the southeast corner reads: STATE ARMORY / BUILT BY WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION 1936 / W.S. KEY STATE ADMINISTRATOR. The building exterior is in good condition, however, all windows have been boarded up and it is not in use at this time."   (https://www.waymarking.com)

"The formidable native sandstone building located at 715 W. Chickasha Avenue was built in 1936 by the WPA. It was the home of the 189th Field Artillery. A photo in the gallery shows the armory as it was in the 1950s. Where today a YMCA sign is erected, formerly, the 45th Infantry "Thunderbird" proudly emblazoned the front of this building. In 1936, the American Legion Post No. 54 also called this building home. Today it houses the Chickasha Area YMCA. Where four large overhead doors flanked the main entrance, those areas are now infilled with glass blocks. A metal plaque on the...

"The Minco Armory was constructed in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration... The Minco Armory is a one and two-story brick building, with a barrel-roof drill hall at the rear. The front entrance is a single metal door, recessed under an arched surround that has six rows of corbelled brick. The entrance is flanked by four overhead doors, one of which has been bricked in. The armory is decorated by the use of angled and recessed brickwork, with rusticated stone coping and caps. Also known as the Minco National Guard Armory, this building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement work at Ogdensburg's historic State Armory building.

The Works Progress Administration built a garage for the State Armory of Mounted Commands in Providence. The location and status of this project is presently unknown to Living New Deal.

From History Colorado: "The Capitol Annex benefited from two Depression era Federal programs the Public Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration. The former program provided part of the funding for this two building complex. Colorado artists from the Fine Arts Project of the WPA adorned the building with works of art. The 1939-41 building is an important example of Art Deco architecture typical of Denver in the late 1930s. Prominent Denver architect G. Meredith Musick served as president of the Associated Architects for the State Capitol Annex, the collaboration responsible for the design of both buildings."

This castle-like building was constructed in the mid-nineteenth century and renovated with WPA help in 1938.

Big Timber Pioneer reported in late 1935 that the WPA had allocated $55,927 "for the purpose of rehabilitating the front steps by placing a new foundation of granite in place of the current pillars and plank bridge work ..."

"The new Finance Department Building of the State capitol group at Harrisburg makes possible the gathering into one building of related units of the State government which were formerly widely scattered. The monumental character of the structure and the use of stone for the entire exterior was dictated by its position opposite the Education Building at the northeast end of the Capitol Plaza. It provides quarters for the departments of the auditor general, revenue, and State treasurer. It has a volume of approximately 6,800,000 cubic feet and its estimated cost is $4,736,270. It is expected to be completed toward the close of 1939."

Referring to projects accomplished by the Public Works Administration, The Indiana Gazette writes in 1937: "Five combination garage and office buildings at Allentown, Carlisle, New Castle, Bedford and Greensburg, have been built for the State Highway Department. These modern structures will house the road equipment used by the Highway Department and will provide adequate office space for its maintenance forces." This building, identified by Lehigh County assessment details as being constructed during the 1930s, is still being used by the Transportation Department (now PennDOT).

Referring to projects accomplished by the Public Works Administration, The Indiana Gazette writes in 1937: "Five combination garage and office buildings at Allentown, Carlisle, New Castle, Bedford and Greensburg, have been built for the State Highway Department. These modern structures will house the road equipment used by the Highway Department and will provide adequate office space for its maintenance forces." The PWA building is the the still-active PennDOT facility on Donohoe Road.

Referring to projects accomplished by the Public Works Administration, The Indiana Gazette writes in 1937: "Five combination garage and office buildings at Allentown, Carlisle, New Castle, Bedford and Greensburg, have been built for the State Highway Department. These modern structures will house the road equipment used by the Highway Department and will provide adequate office space for its maintenance forces." Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation and the county highway department are housed at a facility at 1800 Wilmington Rd. This was the building constructed with PWA funds.

Referring to projects accomplished by the Public Works Administration, The Indiana Gazette writes in 1937: "Five combination garage and office buildings at Allentown, Carlisle, New Castle, Bedford and Greensburg, have been built for the State Highway Department. These modern structures will house the road equipment used by the Highway Department and will provide adequate office space for its maintenance forces." The Carlisle facility has since been replaced. The former building is presently in use by the school department.

Construction of a Highway Department facility in Media was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building's construction in 1937-8, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The location and status of this building is presently unknown to Living New Deal. The PWA provided a $59,400 grant for the project, whose total cost was $136,751. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to...

Construction of a Highway Department facility in Scranton was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building’s construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The location and status of this building is presently unknown to Living New Deal. The PWA provided a $54,642 grant for the project, whose total cost was $127,163. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop...

Construction of a Highway Department facility in Washington, PA was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building’s construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The location and status of this building is presently unknown to Living New Deal. The PWA provided a $85,950 grant for the project, whose total cost was $216,139. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to...

Construction of a Highway Department facility in York was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building’s construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The location and status of this building is presently unknown to Living New Deal. The PWA provided a $73,174 grant for the project, whose total cost was $167,694. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum...

The State Highway Division Region 1 Office, originally known as the State Highway Division Office and State Police Headquarters Building, was constructed in 1938 by Works Progress Administration (WPA) employees. The total cost of the building, landscaped grounds, and associated out-buildings was $118,287 with $78,541 provided by WPA funds and the remaining provided by the state. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) state office building sits adjacent to Pacific Highway 99E, Oregon’s first “superhighway.” This section of the roadway named McLoughlin Boulevard had only been operating for three years when the rustic style building opened its doors for use as the...

The WPA Guide to Alabama states: "The State Judicial Building ... was completed in 1926. It is a three-story building of reinforced concrete, brick, and Indiana limestone, originally designed in the modern mode with Edyptian Mosque motif. In 1932 the Temple was sold to the State, and in 1938 it was converted into a building to house the Supreme Court and Appellate Court of Alabama, the attorney general's office, and a law library. The remodeling work, under the direction of Warren, Knight and Davis, was carried out as a joint enterprise of the State and WPA. The oriental motif has been...

"This building to the west of the Capitol Building was built as Salem's Post Office at a cost of $310,000, and was dedicated on October 16, 1937. It was the only marble post office west of the Mississippi River beside Denver's. It served as Salem's post office until 1976, when a new building on 25th Street took its place (until 2012, when it was decided to cease operations at that location). Today it serves as the State of Oregon Executive Building."

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a pistol range at the Morristown State Police Headquarters, ca. 1937. The exact location and status of the project is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Wyoming State Supreme Court building is situated in central Cheyenne, the state capital. It is a restrained example of Art Deco architecture in the neo-classical mode, with elegant bas-relief decorations, inscriptions and brass (-plated?) doorways and surrounding decoration. It was built in 1937 with aid from the Public Works Administration (PWA) and is still in active use. "This structure is immediately opposite the present State Capitol Building and is an important unit of a well-developed plan for the State and municipal group, occupying a square which is landscaped and surrounded by streets.  The building is three stories in height and...

The PWA built this cottage at the State Training School, later known as the Stockley Center, which housed the developmentally disabled.

The PWA conducted unspecified work at the State Welfare Old Age Infirmary, now the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill. The state legislature appropriated $50,000 to the infirmary in 1935, potentially as matching funds for PWA work. From Delaware: A Guide to the First State: "The State Welfare Home ..., a prominent group of brick buildings in neo-Colonial style, was opened in 1933 to take the place of the almshouses in the three counties of Delaware. Planned to permit the addition of more buildings, the plant cost $590,000 as developed up to 1937. In 1936 there were 372 "guests" averaging 61...

The federal Works Progress Administration worked to "renovate and repair" several buildings in Staten Island as part of a $225,507 project begun in 1935. Buildings improved included what is now the Staten Island Civil Courthouse in West New Brighton.

The federal Works Progress Administration worked to "renovate and repair" several buildings in Staten Island as part of a $225,507 project begun in 1935. Buildings improved included what is now the Staten Island Criminal Court in Stapleton.