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  • Prospect Avenue Improvements - Hackensack NJ
    The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed curbs and gutters along Prospect Avenue in Hackensack, New Jersey in 1936. Notably, WPA workers laid 616 feet of curb during one day one day in late August. The agency also paved the street with macasphalt. Work occurred along Prospect Avenue from Essex to Central Ave.
  • Prospect Street Sidewalk - Stoughton MA
    The WPA built sidewalks in the town of Stoughton, Mass. "The sidewalk project is expected to be completed about October 1 . The sidewalk crew has 14 men and as soon as the Sumer Street sidewalk is finished they will build a new sidewalk on the southerly side of Winter Street from Summer to Water Streets, a distance of 840 feet. From Winter Street they will go to Prospect Street, where they will put in a new sidewalk on the westerly side of the street from Boylston to Seaver Streets, a distance of 1,930 feet."
  • Prospect Terrace Sidewalks - Providence RI
    A series of concrete WPA sidewalks running around the edge of Prospect Terrace, a hillside park overlooking the city.
  • Public Staircases - Bisbee AZ
    "In the hilly city of Bisbee the first public stairs were made of wood. They linked parallel streets and provided access to upper and lower neighborhoods. Using funds from the Works Progress Administration, the city replaced a significant number of its public stairs in 1938. The new concrete stairs were designed to a high standard and constructed with uniform treads and risers and well-finished surfaces. Most of the stairs are signed with the USA/WPA logo in the top and bottom landings." (content.library.arizona.edu)
  • Quinobequin Road Sidewalk - Newton MA
    Description of a project undertaken by the W.P.A. in 1938: "Quinobequin Road, Newton, Washington Street to Boylston Street; to construct a pea stone and stone dust walk 5 feet wide and a planting space 10 feet wide, both 9,400 feet long."
  • Retaining Wall and Sidewalk - Millville MA
    The federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) furnished the labor for the construction of a retaining wall and sidewalk at an unspecified location. The work employed ten men.
  • Revere Beach Reservation Development - Revere MA
    Description of a project undertaken by the W.P.A.: 1937 MDC annual report: "Revere Beach Reservation; to rebuild two concrete truck and ambulance ramps to the beach; to build 700 linear feet of 4-foot high concrete sea wall near the North Circle; and to build 576 linear feet of 7-foot high concrete sea wall and concrete-over terraced steps to form a ramp at the shelter in front of the bath house." 1938 report: "Revere Beach Reservation and Parkway, Revere; work was begun on the completion of 1937 work at Revere Beach; the construction of 4,000 linear feet of new seawall near Northern Circle and the...
  • Road and Sidewalk Improvements - Truth or Consequences NM
    From The New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties (2004): "The coming of the New Deal and many of the work relief programs funded by the WPA proved to a boon for improving downtown Hot Springs and for civic organizations to improve amenities for the community. Under the first New Deal program, the Civil Works Administration, in 1934 the Women’s Improvement Club provided landscaping for a public drinking fountain. Other improvement projects included road and sidewalk construction (with most of the sidewalks within the historic district still bearing WPA or Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) imprints), construction of a...
  • Road Improvements - Evansville WY
    The Civil Works Administration (CWA) conducted substantial road improvement work in Evansville, Wyoming. Per a CWA project card: Grade and gravel three miles of streets, plus some curbs and culverts installed: “This filled a much needed want which the City of Evansville could not take care of financially.”
  • Road Improvements - Lindenhurst NY
    The federal Work Projects Administration worked to improve roads and sidewalks in Lindenhurst, New York during the 1930s. One project, which cost $21,806 (for which the WPA allocated $14,211) was described by the WPA in its project rolls: "Improve North Wellwood, South Wellwood, West Hoffman and East Hoffman Avenues ... including constructing sidewalks, curbs and gutters; removing trees;" and performing related work. WPA Official Project No. 065-21-1-170.
  • Road Work - Concord NH
    Municipal reports for the city of Concord report extensive New Deal road work throughout the 1930s. In 1933, the PWA contributed almost $5,000 to improvements on South Main St., South State St., Pleasant St., Warren St. and School St. The same year, CWA funds were used for the construction of Runnells Road, Snow Pond Road, Sylvester St. and other work, including the removal of "about 500 hitching posts." This sort of road work continued in 1934. A 1938 town report describes extensive WPA help with municipal road projects. In 1939, the report explains more specifically that "the city received 468,000 man-hours of...
  • Robinson Hall - Robinson ND
    Robinson Hall was constructed as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. Discussions regarding the hall’s construction started in 1934 with Bismarck-based architect HM Leonard. According to Golden Jubilee, Robinson North Dakota, “A special election was held October 3, 1934, to issue bonds of $2,000.00 to erect a community hall. In August 1935, lots 10, 11 in block 3 were purchased for $100.00 from OB Wells as a site for the community hall.” Pete Konningsrud worked as foreman during the hall’s construction. The construction of the hall alone employed a great number of people from the area. According to an article from...
  • S. Canal Street Sidewalks - Sharpsburg PA
    The Works Progress Administration built sidewalks on S. Canal Street in Sharpsburg PA.
  • Sadowski Parkway - Perth Amboy NJ
    The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked on a land reclamation and shore beautification project on the south shore of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. As part of the project Water Street was improved and an all-new road, then named Raritan Parkway but now called Sadowski Parkway, was constructed by federal labor. Along the new road 8,800 feet of sidewalks were laid and 9,225 feet of curbing was installed.
  • School Grounds Landscaping - Oakhurst NJ
    The federal Works Progress Administration constructed sidewalks and landscaped school grounds in Oakhurst, New Jersey ca. 1936. It is unclear to Living New Deal whether these projects were related / located at the same facilities. WPA N.J. Project No. 5-233.
  • School Rock Wall - Doniphan MO
    There was a PWA built school addition within the Doniphan school campus built in the mid-1930’s, however there is no evidence of that older school.  Surrounding the current schools, however, is this well-built rock wall that retains the plaque indicating that it was built by the WPA from 1936-1937. Most of the wall is in very good condition.  Portions have been removed for construction purposes on the northwest side.
  • School Street Sidewalks and Retaining Walls - Colfax CA
    The former Colfax Grammar School (now Sierra Vista Community Center) and environs were developed by the Work Projects Administration (WPA) in 1940. Both the surrounding sidewalks and retaining walls bear multiple "WPA 1940" imprint stamps. One instance is shield-shaped. Locations and coordinates of sidewalk imprint stamps (on the north side of School Street): (S1) Eastern end of retaining wall: 39.102562, -120.952843 (S2) School Street building entrance: 39.102710, -120.953671 Interestingly, WPA stamp "S2", which faces south, away from the former school entrance, is adjacent to a second, fainter, impression. That stamp, which faces east, appears almost as though it had been created in error, and then corrected...
  • Sewers and Street Improvements - Ketchikan AK
    The Works Progress Administration contributed $42,732 toward sewer and street improvement work in Ketchikan, Alaska, between 1939 and 1940.
  • Sheepshead Bay Development - Brooklyn NY
    In the late 1930s, the WPA rebuilt the piers along Emmons Avenue and the pedestrian footbridge spanning Sheepshead Bay. The footbridge connects Emmons Avenue with Shore Boulevard and Manhattan Beach. Excerpt from the (1939) WPA Guide to New York City, Federal Writers Project: The Sheepshead Bay Neighborhood, whose low wooden houses spread north of Emmons Avenue from the basin, has drawn metropolitan anglers and epicures since its founding in the early 1800's. Fronting the bay are many restaurants noted for their shore dinners. Best known are Lundy's, Villepigue's, Seidel's, the Beau Rivage, and Tappen's.   The Sheephead Bay fishing "fleet," consisting of about fifty boats,...
  • Sidewalk - Blades DE
    Delaware utilized substantial federal resources in developing and improving its road network during the Great Depression. Among the dozens of projects undertaken by the federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) during 1934 was construction of a sidewalk in Blades. The exact location in question is unknown to Living New Deal. An average of 1,410 were put to work each week during 1934 as a result of the CWA’s road, sidewalk, bridge, and other related infrastructure efforts in Delaware.  
  • Sidewalk - Lake Luzerne NY
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) photo pictured here shows a sidewalk in Lake Luzerne, New York that was completed by the WPA during the Great Depression. The Living New Deal does not know the present status or exact location of this project.
  • Sidewalk - Point Richmond CA
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a sidewalk on Summit Place in Point Richmond, California, in 1939. The WPA date stamp is still quite visible in the old pavement, in front of 343 Summit Place. The WPA undoubtedly built other sidewalks in Point Richmond and Richmond as part of general street improvements being done around the city in the late 1930s.
  • Sidewalk - Point Richmond CA
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a sidewalk at West Richmond Avenue and Martina Street (erroneously marked Martino St. in the cement) in Point Richmond, California, in 1940. The WPA date stamp is still quite visible in the old pavement. The WPA undoubtedly built other sidewalks in Point Richmond and Richmond as part of general street improvements being done around the city in the late 1930s, but the old date stamps have disappeared over the years with sidewalk replacements.
  • Sidewalk (Five Points) - Laurel DE
    Delaware utilized substantial federal resources in developing and improving its road network during the Great Depression. Among the dozens of projects undertaken by the federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) during 1934 was sidewalk construction from Laurel to what was then known as Five Points, north of town. It is believed the sidewalk was constructed along North Central Avenue to that point (at which N. Central, Seaford, Woodland, and Georgetown Roads, and N Poplar St. all meet) north of town. An average of 1,410 were put to work each week during 1934 as a result of the CWA’s road, sidewalk, bridge, and...
  • Sidewalk and Road Improvements - Dalzell IL
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed sidewalks and graveled streets in Dalzell, Illinois.
  • Sidewalk and Street Improvements - Margaretville NY
    The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) reconstructed sidewalks and roads in downtown Margaretville, New York in 1939. Catskill Mountain News reported: Claude Caswell and his WPA workmen have completed the sidewalk job in Margaretville's business section and a much better looking village has been set up because of their work. No more scraping hub caps along the Main street curbs, wider streets for auto parking, and smoother sidewalks make a great improvement in the most traveled area of the village.
  • Sidewalk Construction - Parkersburg WV
    In 1935, The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a mile and a quarter of sidewalks throughout Parkersburg, Wood County. The “sidewalks were constructed by WPA labor taken from the relief rolls.”
  • Sidewalk Improvements - Mexico NY
    The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) put 20 men to work improving sidewalks in the town of Mexico, New York in 1939.
  • Sidewalk on W. Gurley Street - Prescott AZ
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built sidewalks all around Prescott AZ, including one on West Gurley Street in front of the Sharlot Hall Museum.
  • Sidewalk Reconstruction - Bayonne NJ
    In late 1935 the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) put more than 100 men to work in Bayonne, New Jersey fixing broken sidewalks. Segments repaired included: Avenue E: Eighth to 52nd streets, 12,000 square feet Avenue B from Thirty-sixth to Fifty-ninth streets, 5,000 square feet Avenue A from Seventh to Thirty-sixth streets, 8,000 square feet Fifty-eight crosstown streets, 58,000 square feet Additional sidewalk repair projects were undertaken by the WPA in Bayonne.
  • Sidewalk Replacement - Acton MA
    Among other hurricane relief work, the federal Works Progress Administration replaced sidewalks in Acton, Mass.
  • Sidewalk, Auburn and Harwood Avenues - Oakland CA
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a sidewalk in 1939 at Auburn and Harwood Avenues in Oakland's Rockridge District.  It was one of many sidewalks constructed by the WPA around the city of Oakland.   Date stamps in sidewalks were a common practice in the first half of the 20th century.  Many are documented at oaklandunderfoot.com.
  • Sidewalks - Arlington MA
    The Work Projects Administration (WPA) constructed sidewalks in Arlington, Massachusetts, including at the intersection of Renfrew St and Hillside Ave. A WPA plaque is embedded on the "left" side of the street at the corner if one is looking towards State Route 2/Belmont. Given as the plaque says "Work Projects Administration," as opposed to "Works Progress Administration," this dates the sidewalk to 1939 or later. Many of sidewalks in this neighborhood look similar and seem to be from the same time period.
  • Sidewalks - Ashland MA
    The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) constructed sidewalks in Ashland, Massachusetts's in 1935, including along West Union St. and the no-longer-extant Granite St.
  • Sidewalks - Barre VT
    Federal relief programs conducted sidewalk construction and improvement work in Barre, Vermont.
  • Sidewalks - Bisbee AZ
    The W.P.A. constructed sidewalks in Bisbee, Arizona, including on Bisbee Road.
  • Sidewalks - Boise ID
    The W.P.A. constructed sidewalks in Boise, Idaho.
  • Sidewalks - Burlington VT
    "The 1934 Annual Report of Burlington states that the PWA would be responsible for approximately ten miles of new cement concrete sidewalks; the photograph shows one of the following projects. The project cost a total of $50,340.01; federal covered $23,000 of the construction cost." PWA Project No. 2361
  • Sidewalks - Central Falls RI
    The WPA built sidewalks in Central Falls, Rhode Island. One commenter to an article about New Deal accomplishments in the area wrote: "I remember seeing WPA plaques on sidewalks in Central Falls back in the late 70's. These were the sidewalks that weren't collapsing." In 2017 a Rhode Island Division of Planning analysis stated "Central Falls' street network of sidewalks that have largely reached the end of their service life (many are WPA projects from the 1930s) ..."
  • Sidewalks - Clay WV
    The Works Progress Administration built sidewalks in Clay, Clay County, West Virginia.
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