Tuolumne Meadows Sewage System – Yosemite National Park CA

Tuolumne Meadows - Yosemite National Park CA

In the late 1930s, the Public Works Administration (PWA) funded a new sewage collection and treatment system for Tuolumne Meadows.  It replaced the original septic tanks for the campground comfort stations and was extended to take in a broader area… read more

Union Station Site Preparation – Los Angeles CA

Macy St./Ceasar Chavez Ave. – Los Angeles CA

In February 1934, the Public Works Administration (PWA) granted Los Angeles, CA, $304,000 to begin street realignment and improvements necessary for the construction of a new railroad station. The project in its entirety was expected to employ 350 to 400… read more

University of Saint Joseph Storm Sewer – West Hartford CT

Multiple projects were “planned, staked out and supervised” by West Hartford’s Engineering Department in 1935-6 utilizing Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) and/or Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor. One such project involved storm sewer construction “across the St. Joseph College property… read more

Upton Street, Reno Road, and Thirty-Seventh Street NW Sewer Installation – Washington DC

In 1940, the the Works Progress Administration (WPA)  installed sewers on Upton Street, Reno Road, and Thirty-Seventh Street in the district’s northwest quadrant. This work was part of a massive New Deal era program for Washington of sewer construction, separation… read more

Van Buren Street and Georgia Avenue NW Sewers – Washington DC

In 1940, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed sewers at Van Buren Street and Georgia Avenue in the district’s northwest quadrant. This work was part of a massive New Deal era program for Washington of sewer construction, separation of sanitary… read more

Vera and Jessamine Street Storm Sewers – West Hartford CT

Multiple projects were “planned, staked out and supervised” by West Hartford’s Engineering Department in 1935-6 utilizing Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) and/or Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor. One such project involved storm sewer construction along Vera and Jessamine Streets.

Waitt’s Mountain Park – Malden MA

“In the 1930’s the Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a series of improvements including the construction of the loop road around the summit [of Waitt’s Mount].” A 1937 WPA Bulletin reported: In 1934 Waitt’s Mount in Maiden looked like a… read more

Wampatuck Road Reconstruction – Quincy MA

W.P.A. project description: “The three projects, which were approved and on which work was started late in the year, provide for the reconstruction of: first, Wampatuck Road from Furnace Brook Parkway to Chickatawbut Road, Quincy, a distance of 4,800 feet… read more

Wards Island Wastewater Treatment Plant – New York NY

“Under the auspices of the New York Department of Sanitation, between 1937 and 1944, three new wastewater treatment plants were constructed — Wards Island in Manhattan, and Bowery Bay and Tallman Island in Queens. These facilities were designed to reduce… read more

Water and Sewer Authority Carpentry Shop – Washington DC

Garage/shop group at the foot of First Street, Water and Sewer Authority site - Washington DC

Works Progress Administration (WPA) records in the National Archives report that in 1937 WPA labor was used to “erect a brick building in the city to be used as a combination carpentry and blacksmith shop by the Sewer Department.” The… read more

Water and Sewer System Improvements – Nashua NH

Municipal reports from Nashua’s local governments documented extensive New Deal work on the cities water and sewer systems during the 1930s: 1933 Mayor Alvin Lucier reported: “As we take over the reins of government today, we do so with abiding… read more