A local report for the year 1938-1939 describes WPA work in Jonesport: “With the help of W. P. A. funds amounting to $4,363.71 to date, which covers all labor costs, we have been able to do the following work at… read more
The WPA allocated $1,031 for an extension to the municipal sewer system in Glendive, Montana in August 1938.
The WPA allocated $17,394 toward a “sanitary sewer extension” for the town of Philipsburg, MT in July 1938.
Four major sewer projects were started in Downtown Portland by the WPA. New sewer lines were built along Baxter Blvd and Washington Ave. Danforth St. and Fore St. sewer lines were rebuilt.
The WPA allocated $3,822 for the development of a “sanitary sewer system” in Big Sandy, Montana in 1938.
A sanitary sewer construction project in Riverhead, New York was undertaken during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $64,517 grant; the total cost of the project was $146,887. Work… read more
The town’s municipal report for 1935 described extensive New Deal relief from the PWA and the WPA, as well as from VERA (Vermont Emergency Relief Agency). The mayor said in the report that: “These large amounts received during these past… read more
Annual reports for the city of Dover detail extensive work on the city’s sewer system: 1939 SEWERS “Central avenue, Spring street to Cemetery entrance. This sewer was started by the Highway Department, old cement pipe being replaced by 806 feet… read more
Among a set of 26 WPA projects for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania approved in Sept. 1935 was the “completion of [the] storm sewer system” in Clairton, PA. The project was to be completed at a cost of $1,283 to the Federal… read more
Montana’s Big Timber Pioneer newspaper reported on two WPA sewer projects in Harlowton between 1935 and 1938. The WPA contributed $5,978 toward a 5,000-foot-long eight-inch sewer with 15 manhole covers, and $18,446 toward a 9,800-foot extension with 26 manhole covers.
In December 1935 the WPA approved $140,680 for a “Manito sewer project and lateral sewers” in Spokane, Washington. Spokane’s Daily Chronicle detailed the locations of these sewer projects. The lateral sewer project was allocated $90,080 by the WPA and involved… read more
In December 1935 the WPA approved $140,680 for a “Manito sewer project and lateral sewers” in Spokane, Washington. Spokane’s Daily Chronicle detailed the locations of these sewer projects. The primary ‘Manito’ sewer project, located largely within the present neighborhood of… read more
The WPA allotted $7,678 in Oct. 1935 for the construction of a storm sewer in East Hampton, NY.
Sayville’s Suffolk County News reported in late 1935 that the WPA allotted $24,747.79 to the construction of storm sewers in Bay Shore, NY. The sewers were built on: Benjamin St.; North Park Ave.; Garfield Ave.; Center Ave.; John St.; West… read more
Sayville’s Suffolk County Times reported in Feb. 1937 that the WPA had begun work on four storm sewers in Blue Point, providing employment for 60 laborers. The locations of the sewers are as follows: 1. From the intersection of Middle… read more
According to an article in the Lewiston Evening Journal of January 3, 1935 by Gerald Reed, extensive utility work was undertaken in the city by a combination of the CWA, FERA, & ERA agencies. “Under Sup. Cook of the Auburn… read more
Extensive work was done in Berlin by a combination of the CWA, FERA, PWA, NYA, CCC and WPA all during the existence of the New Deal when “in 1935, under the leadership of newly-elected Mayor Arthur Bergeron, the Farmer-Labor Party… read more
The Mexia Weekly Herald reported on March 29, 1935 that work on two PWA projects in the town of Fairfield, Texas had begun, including “the water and sewer system for the newly incorporated town.”
Municipal reports from the late 1930s describe federal funding for water system improvements in the amounts of $2,766 in 1938 and $5,510 in 1939 (the latter under WPA project No. 2655).
According to a local newspaper article, “water and sanitary sewer lines were installed … for the first time” in Shoemakersville, Pennsylvania, courtesy the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Municipal reports from 1938 and 1939 reported the following WPA activity in Gorham: 1937 Storm drains Alpine St & Promenade St. Water mains Alpine St and to the Island on the east end of Washington St. The town is now… read more
The city of Claude, TX received funding from the PWA for its sewage and water systems — including a new sewage disposal unit, new pipes and wells.
Annual municipal reports for Claremont document extensive New Deal involvement in developing the city’s water supply and sewage systems. In 1935, this work included WPA aid in the construction of the local Rice Reservoir, and CCC construction of five “water… read more
At the intersection of N. 8th and Boston in a residential area, there are two WPA culverts which pass under 8th Street east to west. One culvert has the WPA shield stamped 1939 at either end; the other does not…. read more
The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement and development work at the National Guard installation in Sea Girt, New Jersey. Example project description: “Improve the National Guard camp grounds, including bulkheads, curbs, walks, sewers, manholes, and field drains, reconstructing… read more
The W.P.A. conducted numerous improvement and development projects at the New London Submarine Base. Project details: “Construct and improve buildings, utilities, and grounds” Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐105 Total project cost: $49,805.00 Sponsor: Commandant, Naval Submarine Base, U.S. Navy “Make improvements… read more
The Public Works Administration completed improvements at the New Jersey Avenue Sewage Pumping Station between 1939 and 1940. The work consisted of “electrical installation.”
The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) supplied the labor and paid most of the project cost of laying three sewer pipelines from points in west Bayonne to points in Newark Bay beneath the low tide line. Three 12-inch cast iron… read more
'This treatment plant is one unit of a project which also included three pumping stations and several miles of sewers. The plant comprises the two concrete Imhoff tanks, the gas tank, and one pumping station…' (total cost: $359,472)
The Work Projects Administration (W.P.A.) reconstructed Framingham’s Nipmuc Road in 1940. Town Report, 1940: Portions of Nipmuc Road between Wood Avenue and Row Street had settled materially because of the poor foundation conditions existing there and the sewer, drain and… read more
The Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) reconstructed and widened Burlington’s North Avenue, with the W.P.A. installing sewers as well. Widening was undertaken with P.W.A. funds in 1934, P.W.A Project No. VT 2232. Widening under the W.P.A. was… read more
Multiple New Deal agencies worked to develop the North Chagrin Reservation outside Cleveland, Ohio. “Over the course of the 1930s the reservation was modernized with graded roads, permanent trails, sewage and water infrastructure, and shelter houses, much of this construction… read more
The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer. Sections 102 and 103: “Section 103 is located in Everett and Chelsea and consists of about 3675 linear feet of… read more
The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer. Section 105: “This section is located in Medford and Everett and embraces the construction of about 6500 feet of sewer… read more
The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer: sections 105, 106A, 108, 111, and 112 included work in Medford. Edward M. Matz was awarded the contract for section 106A;… read more
The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer: section 1115B included work in Stoneham. Contractor: C. & R. Construction Company.
The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer: sections 112, 113, 114, and 115A included work in Winchester. “North Metropolitan Relief Sewer, Section 113: This work is located… read more
Montpelier’s 40th Annual Report details many roadwork projects undertaken in 1934 with Vermont Emergency Relief Administration (VERA) funds, including: “North Street to City Line, grading and graveling”. Sewer work was undertaken by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1935: “402… read more
On August 22, 1933, Public Works Administration (PWA) chief Harold Ickes announced a grant of $1,759,500 for various DC sewer projects. These included an extension of the Northeast Boundary Sewer “intended to eliminate a pollution nuisance in Kingman Lake in… read more
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: … Norumbega Road, from River Street to Commonwealth Avenue, Weston, 4,850 linear feet… All these roads will… read more
Check out our latest map and guide to the work of the New Deal in Washington, D.C. It includes 500 New Deal sites in the District alone, highlighting 34 notable sites, and includes an inset map of the area around the National Mall which can be used for self-guided walking tours.
Take a look at our previous guides, equally comprehensive, covering key New Deal sites in San Francisco and New York City.
