Education and Health Sites

Miles Avenue Elementary School, which opened in 1932, was rebuilt with funding from the Public Works Administration (PWA) between 1934 and 1935. In January 1934, the PWA allocated $9,380,000 to the Los Angeles Unified School District for the rehabilitation of schools damaged in the severe 1933 Long Beach earthquake.  One hundred and thirty schools would benefit from the system-wide loan and grant, with 2,500 men to be employed in rehabilitation work over 21 months. Upon receiving news of the PWA allocation, Board of Education member Arthur Eckman told the Los Angeles Times, “I am sure that every member of the board agrees with...

The Works Project Administration built a school in Milford, Texas in 1940. The official project number was 65-1-66-186. The school had twelve classrooms and a combination auditorium and gymnasium. The school is still in use.

The Work projects Administration (WPA) worked to construct the Military Science Building at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. "Construction began in spring 1941 on this project and was completed by legislative appropriations after the WPA was disbanded." The building is still in use. WPA Project No. 165-1-82-153. Cost: $83,732. Sponsor: War Department

Multiple New Deal-supported construction projects were undertaken on the campus of South Carolina State University during the Great Depression. "his three-story brick men's dormitory was constructed with Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works funds." (sc.gov)

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) carried out improvements to the grounds at the Miller Valley Elementary School in Prescott AZ in 1936-1937.  From the WPA project card in the National Archives, it appears that these included a stone entrance to the school grounds. The school was closed in the 2010s, but the old WPA stone walls have survived at the corner of W. Iron Springs and Miller Valley Roads.

"This building constitutes a cultural and recreational community center. It was constructed with a donation of site and of $40,000 by a citizen of Ashton and with the aid of the P.W.A. It provides a public library, a stack room, a combination auditorium and gymnasium with a stage and men's and women's locker rooms, a kitchen, and a room for the American Legion. It is a fireproof structure and the exterior walls are a light-colored brick trimmed with stone. The auditorium-gymnasium is used by the high school as well as by the public. It was completed in June 1936 at a...

The Milwaukee Public Library opened in 1898 in a building combining French and Italian Renaissance styles at a cost of $780,000 (mpl.org). In 1936, Works Progress Administration (WPA) laborers assisted, according to museum director Samuel Barrett, in “completely overhauling the building, redecorating it from cellar to garret, installing a new lighting system, repairing the mosaic floors, repainting and relining exhibition cases, reinstalling a large number of exhibits, restoring photographic negatives and prints and other study and research collections, and in myriad ways improving the conditions of the institution and increasing it usefulness to the 2,500,000 people it serves annually.” ("Milwaukee Journal.")...

Myron Nutting painted murals for the Milwaukee Public Museum (a natural history museum) in the early 1930s.

The post office in Mineola was built in 1936 under the Public Works Administration (PWA) program and was designed by architects at the U.S. Treasury Department. It continued to be used as a post office until 1998. It is now the Mineola Historical Museum.

The PWA granted a loan of $55,000 for a new Mineral County high school building in 1934. In 1940 the Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a tennis court at the school at a cost of $1,902. The building is still in use today.

Regarding New Deal work at this site, Flynn writes: "Structures at this facility include a greenhouse, annex, and landscaping. The landscaping includes a rock wall and long trench on a hill side behind the building."

America Builds: "At Moose Lake in Minnesota a PWA allotment enabled the State to build a complete new $2,181,500 unit in the State asylum system. On 1,700 acres in Carlton County there have gone up a new administration building, men's receiving hospital, women's receiving hospital, auditorium, gymnasium, service building, women's dormitory, men's dormitory, nurses' home, doctors' home, male employees' dormitory, two residences, power plant, garage and shop building, freight depot, dairy barn, horse barn, chicken house, piggery, and three cottages for farmers. This project includes landscaping, roads, and equipment for buildings and for the farm. Many of the mental hospitals are...

The Minnesota Machinery Museum is housed in the former Hanley Falls School built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1939.

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) relocated and reconstructed the former United States Mint Building in Charlotte, North Carolina: now the Mint Museum. The project was completed at a cost of $46,724.75. "Between 1932 and 1935 communities throughout North Carolina, including Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, benefited from a broad array of public works funded primarily by Washington.  These included the reconstruction in Eastover of the former United States Mint Building ..." Furthermore, the FERA improved and graded the grounds at the site.

Miramonte Elementary School, which opened in 1912, was rebuilt with funding from the Public Works Administration (PWA) between 1934 and 1935. In January 1934, the PWA allocated $9,380,000 to the Los Angeles Unified School District for the rehabilitation of schools damaged in the severe 1933 Long Beach earthquake.  One hundred and thirty schools would benefit from the system-wide loan and grant, with 2,500 men to be employed in rehabilitation work over 21 months. Upon receiving news of the PWA allocation, Board of Education member Arthur Eckman told the Los Angeles Times, “I am sure that every member of the board agrees with me...

Drew Athletic Field was constructed behind the school in the late 1930s. Dorland Street was removed to make room for the field. The October 3, 1938 edition of the Daily Pacific Builder reported that $65,000 in PWA funds had been allotted for the project.

The Mission Historical Museum was constructed as the city's post office in 1940. The building houses an example of New Deal artwork.

Public Works Administration W1205 funded construction of a two-story brick Neo-Classical dormitory for what was then known as Harrison-Stone-Jackson Junior College. A loan of $64,000 and a grant of $52,364 toward the total estimated cost of $116,364 was approved 8/26/1936. Construction began 3/16/1937 and was completed 3/24/1938 at a total cost of $117,473. Architect was Vinson B. Smith, Jr. and the builder/contractor was Newton & Schmoll. It contains 62 rooms and was the only major structure built on the campus during the Great Depression. Historic renovations were made in 1974, and renovations and remodeling for a board room addition was...

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. The Bedenbaugh Animal Science Building (currently in use as the Bedenbaugh Animal Laboratory) was completed 1939 as part of the 5-year building program. Harry W. Stevens was the architect.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. The Box Building was formerly a faculty residence located on President's Circle and was relocated and brick-veneered. The house was one of several faculty apartment houses and residences constructed during the program. The 1939 Georgian Revival style was originally at 29-31 President's Circle, and now is located on Morrill Road. Architects were Stevens & Johnson.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. Reworking of the then Chemistry Building with alterations and repairs was one part of the multi-project program. Construction and repair was done by I. C. Garber & Son, plumbing and heating by Arthur Horne, and electric wiring by Edgar Walker.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. Seven faculty apartment buildings and six residences were constructed under the Public Works Administration funded program. The apartment residences for faculty and staff were 2-story structures in the Georgian Revival Style. Some were frame construction and others brick/stucco. At least 3 of the brick structures are extant, and at least 1 of the frame residences. Architect firm was Johnston & Stevens.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. Hull Hall was constructed 1938 as a 3 story dormitory, in the Georgia Revival style. Architect was Stevens & Johnston, Contractor was R. P. Farnsworth & Co., and Cast stone bas reliefs were by Jackson Stone Company.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. Lloyd-Ricks Hall was initially constructed 1929 as the Experiment Station. In 1938, the Extension Station (E-Wing) was added as an architectural twin, connected by an addition. Architect was Stevens & Johnston, and Builder was I. C. Garber & Son. The complex was renovated in 2010.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. Magruder Hall was constructed 1937-1938 as a dormitory. Stevens and Johnston designed the 3-story Georgian Revival brick building constructed by M. T. Reed Construction Company.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. The former Scientific Building, renamed Montgomery Agricultural Hall, constructed in 1902, was altered for classrooms and offices, with additional in 1939 as part of the building program. Architects were Stevens & Johnston, contractor was I. C. Garber and Son.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. Scott Field (Davis Wade Stadium) was constructed 1938 by I. C. Garber and Sons and Stevens and Johnston architects. Seating capacity was 30,000.

Mississippi State College constructed a number of buildings and structures, and made renovations and repairs to existing buildings from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. The projects were w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 from PWA. The swimming pool and poolhouse were completed in 1935, and demolished around 2005. Architect Harry W. Stevens completed the design.

The Art Moderne Veterinary Science building was one of the buildings constructed 1937 as part of the 5-year building program for Mississippi State College, 1934-1939. Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program totaling $1,424,478. The architect was Stevens & Johnston and contractor was J. R. Flint Construction Company.

Old Main Dormitory for the Columbus Female Institute was partially constructed for use as a dormitory by enslaved labor in 1860. It was transferred to the state in 1884 for the establishment of the Mississippi State College for Women. The dormitory was no longer in use in the 1930s due to dilapidation and need for repairs. PWA grant W1231 of $49,833 and loan of $61,000 was approved 8/12/1937 for improvements and renovation . Construction began 2/8/1938 and was completed 11/8/1938. It was renamed in honor of Mary J. S. Callaway, Mathematics faculty and twice acting President of the college. Improvements...

Built in 1937 by the WPA.

"The Mitchell School library in Racine, Wisconsin had a series of 5 mural panels done by Santos Zingale under the WPA. These murals are currently in storage. They were removed in the 1950s when the school library was remodeled. They lie in darkness, waiting to be restored!" This school had a fire several years ago. The murals were damaged and sent to an art restorer in Chicago. As of September, 2021, the murals appear to have been lost or stolen. According to a representative of the Racine Unified School District, there is no record of what happened to the murals.   

The Mitchell Student Center at the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota was built between 1936 and 1937 by the Public Works Administration (PWA). Designed by Harold Crawford, Rochester’s preeminent architect at the time, the building originally housed the Rochester Public Library and could hold 75,000 books. The Jacobean-style structure was built of limestone quarried in the town of Kasota, in South Central Minnesota. The PWA grant funded 45% of the total building costs, and the remainder was covered by the Library Board. After the library moved in the early 1970s, the Mayo Clinic purchased the 1937 building. It was listed...

Located about nine miles east of downtown Miami, Oklahoma, the former Moccasin Bend school building was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1936. Built of ashlar masonry, the 76' x 30' building was located on the south side of E 100 St. A building with these dimensions can be found near given coordinates at the Eastside Assembly of God Miami; further confirmation is requested to determine whether this was the school building.

Modoc Union High School was constructed in 1939 as a Public Works Administration project and is located along North Main St (Hwy 395) in downtown Alturas, CA. There are two bronze plaques that hang near the front entrance to the school. The top plaque mentions the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harold L. Ickes as Administrator of Public Works. The plaque lists the school as being constructed in 1939. The building's architecture contains Art Deco themes. The school still functions as a high school today.

The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $93,300 loan and $37,399 grant for construction what is now the Mohawk Avenue School in Sparta, New Jersey. Total cost of the project was $136,628. PWA Docket No. NJ 8215

The Mojave elementary school was built in 1938 with $150,000 in federal funds from the Public Works Administration (PWA).  It was made primarily of reinforced concrete. There has been considerable alteration of the exterior and windows over time, plus addition of further structures to house the school, about which we lack further information.  The front entrance is a stripped down version of the original and the bas-relied and original doors have disappeared.

This stone building was a WPA project completed in 1937 as a schoolhouse. It was originally known as District #121, later known as the "Gunderson School" and rezoned as District #6. It is now used as the Moland Township Hall. The architects were two recent NDSU grads, Allen Carter and George Meineke.

"The Molokai Public Library (1937), designed by Harry K. Stewart, was one of a number of public buildings in Hawai'I to be built thanks to the PWA. Another PWA project, the Honoka'a Library on the island of Hawai'i used the same plan." PWA Docket No. T. H. 1038-A

The Works Progress Administration completed improvements for the Monongalia County School, in Morgantown. The work included “Constructing ditch, laying water lines and grading school grounds, for county schools.” The exact location and condition of this project is unknown to the Living New Deal.