Military and Public Safety Sites

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) constructed a new station house for the NYPD's 110th precinct in Elmhurst. The project, built for $100,000, is still in use. Inside is a plaque crediting the WPA, with the date 1939, though the public does not generally receive permission to photograph it.

The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the 138th Infantry Regiment Armory in St. Louis MO. Completed in 1937, the armory building has been converted to office space. Excerpt from Missouri Armories: The Guard's Home in Architecture and History: "On May 15, 1934, the City of St. Louis approved a bond issue to fund improvements; $15 million of the bond issue, plus a 30 percent grant from the PWA, made construction of the $1,347,000 armory possible... This armory is a large two-story building with a monitor-type roof over a large parade hall." The Missouri National Guard declared the building...

Harrisburg's 19th Street Armory was constructed in 1937-8 as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $28,752 grant for the project, whose total cost was $89,050. PWA Docket No. PA 1807.

"This P.W.A. allotment made it possible for the Quartermaster Corps of the Army to erect 12 field officers' quarters of the type illustrated on this page. Each building provides heater, fuel, and storerooms, and a laundry in the basement; a living room, sun porch, dining room, kitchen, pantry, garage, and maid's room on the first floor; and three bedrooms, two baths, and a dressing room on the second floor. They are frame buildings with exterior walls of native quarry stone. They were completed in February 1936 and the P.W.A. allotment, which involved other buildings at the post, was $688,707."

The Colonial Revival style Adjutant General's house at Camp Withycombe was constructed by Works Progress Administration workers in 1938. Although a military facility since 1909 when it was developed as a rifle range, Camp Withycombe had few permanent structures before the Depression era. During World War I, the camp received inductees who were housed in tents. When it became a supply depot in the 1930s, additional structures were required. Salem based architect Lyle Bartholomew designed the Adjutant General's house using details that have been referred to as the Oregon Rustic style. These include a coursed stone chimney and stone landscaping decoration. The...

P.W.A. Federal Project No. 487

The Hannibal Armory is constructed of rock that was obtained from a local quarry that also was the source for the adjacent Clemens field baseball field.  There is a locked room that was previously used for arms, but the majority of the building is a large open area for basketball courts and is part of the parks and recreation department.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA), in conjunction with the War Department, developed Beverly Airport in Massachusetts. WPA project details: "Construct municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐14‐265 Total project cost: $168,866.00 Sponsor: War Department "Construct runways at airport" Official Project Number: 265‐1‐14‐50 Total project cost: $376,440.00 Sponsor: Mayor, City of Beverly

The Works Progress Administration (WPA), in conjunction with the War Department, developed Fitchburg Airport in Massachusetts. WPA project details (referred to as 'Leominster'): "Improve municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐14‐260 Total project cost: $121,270.00 Sponsor: War Department "Make improvements to airport" Total project cost: $149,270.00 Sponsor: Mayor and Public Works Department "Improve airport" Official Project Number: 265‐1‐14‐59 Total project cost: $509,980.00 Sponsor: Public Works Department

The W.P.A. worked to develop what is now known as Princeton Municipal Airport, in Princeton, Maine. W.P.A. project info: "Improvements to airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐11‐52 Total project cost: $358,036.00 Sponsor: War Department "Make improvements to municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐11‐61 Total project cost: $417,070.00 Sponsor: Town of Princeton

The Public Works Administration funded improvement work at the Alcatraz Prison on Alcatraz Island. The cost of the project was $1,100,000. The funds for the modernization were earmarked through a PWA program in 1938. The modernization plans were temporarily suspended after the Attorney General suggested the prison be moved away from San Francisco’s “doorstep.” The work restarted in 1940, when Attorney General Jackson took office, inspected the site, and approved the modernization project. James V. Bennett, the director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, declared in 1940 for the Fresno Bee that he expected the construction to finish by July of 1940. He also...

WPA-built American Legion building in Moorhead, MN. "The American Legion Melvin E. Hearl Post No. 21 was completed in 1936 with grant assistance from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It is significant as an example of a public works project which was a source of community pride during a period of great economic adversity. It also reflects an unusual, handwork-intensive construction technology which exploited local materials and local labor."

"This American Legion hut is a one-story native stone building, constructed in the Craftsman style. It is located at the SW corner of Stephenson Park, and was a WPA project in 1936. It was constructed at a cost of $7,000 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. The building faces 5th Street to the south and has a front facing gable with a smaller gable over the entrance. There are wide overhangs and open eaves, with exposed wood rafters. The windows are four-over-four double hung. The interior has three rooms, a large meeting hall as you enter...

"This WPA Project brought in $60,000 to the economy of Anadarko and employed 210 people, for a period of 13 months... One of the significant projects of the WPA during the years 1935-1943 was the construction of military armories. This T-shaped armory is rather unique in its design with wings extending on the north, south and west. At the center is a barrel-roofed drill area, with a stage at one end. Beneath this stage area was an underground rifle range. The armory contains 23,000 feet and was one of the largest built in Oklahoma by the WPA. This armory is constructed of...

Excavate below first floor of Building #21, underpin walls and piers of Building #21, and carry to solid bearing. Install complete drying room with lines, fans and louvres. Provide adequate room for ten-chair barber shop installation. Cut exterior doors, build stairs, walks and hand rails to provide access to laundry trays, showers and drying rooms from first and second floors of Barracks Building #21.--Mooser, p. 94.

"The Anna Miller Museum, a place where you can walk back in time and relive the old west. Built in the 1930's, the museum was originally a WPA project for Company A, 115th Cavalry, Wyoming National Guard. Many long, hard hours were spent constructing the building out of 18 inch hand-hewn sandstone blocks, quarried from nearby Salt Creek. The museum was named for Anna C. ( McMoran) Miller, the daughter of a pioneer family, and widow of Sheriff Billy Miller who was killed in what is known as the last Indian battle in this area. In cooperation with School District #1 and...

The Battle of Antietam took place on September 17, 1862, and is known as the bloodiest day of the Civil War.  General George B. McClellan and his Union forces faced off against General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate Army at Sharpsburg, Maryland.  When the fighting was done, well over 3,500 men were dead, and another 19,000 wounded. Throughout the New Deal period, Antietam National Battlefield received a large amount of attention, funding, and work from the CWA, PWA, and WPA.  The CWA placed a historical survey group there, circa 1933-34; the PWA funded restoration of large buildings and monuments, such...

The Pennsylvania National Guard armory building at W Allen St. and 15th St. in Allentown was originally constructed in the late 1930s as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $40,000 grant for the project, whose total cost was $122,779. Primary construction occurred in 1936-7. PWA Docket No. 1847.

According to a DoD Heritage Report, the W.P.A. constructed an armory in Bainville, Montana. Assuming this project was undertaken, the location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Number 65‐91‐1605

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Chinook, Montana. Official Project Number 65-91-1602. According to local newspaper articles, the new armory was initial used as a civic center for various community events, as well as a jail, and office space for the neighboring Blaine County Courthouse. Today the building still serves at the Blaine County Courthouse Annex as well as the Chinook ambulance barn.  

The Clearfield Armory was constructed in 1937-8 as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $29,118 grant for the project, whose total cost was $91,324. PWA Docket No. PA 1810.

The Coraopolis Armory was constructed in 1938 as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $34,908 grant for the project, whose total cost was $105,572. PWA Docket No. PA 1850.

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Marion, Montana. The facility is located at southeast corner corner of Broadway Ave. and 3rd St. E. Official Project Number 65‐91‐160X

"During the 1930s, UTNG used federal money, often supplied through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), to build or expand a number of UTNG facilities. The WPA funded eight armories and several garage and storage areas for the UTNG. By 1940, 13 armories were in use by the Utah Guard including" that in Fillmore. "A bronze plaque on the east pilaster on the north elevation reads: “Fillmore Armory Constructed by Utah State Armory Board, Fillmore City and the Works Progress Administration 1937.”  The Fillmore Armory was designed by Niels P. Larsen, an architect who designed many buildings while working with the Works...

The historic National Guard armory in Hartsville, South Carolina was constructed by the Work Projects Administration from 1939 to 1940. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The striking PWA Moderne-style National Guard Armory in Hiawatha, Kansas was constructed in 1938 by the Works progress Administration (WPA). The armory is still in service. The building bears two plaques, dating construction to 1938 to 1939.

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Kalispell, Montana. The location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. "Construct Armory building" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐114 Total project cost: $82,810.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Provide Armory building" Official Project Number: 65‐91‐6556 "Construct armory building" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐114 Total project cost: $141,008.00 Sponsor: Montana State Armory Board

The Lewisburg Armory was constructed in 1937-8 as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $28,726 grant for the project, whose total cost was $88,543. PWA Docket No. PA 1852.

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Marion, Montana. The location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Number 65‐91‐1601

"Located at the northwest corner of W. 2nd and Alabama Streets, west of downtown Okmulgee, this armory was built by the WPA and completed in 1936. It was constructed of native limestone, quarried nearby and gave work to between 300 and 400 local workers, bringing $68,000 into the economy of the town. It housed Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 179th Infantry and also Company K, 179th Infantry of the 45th Infantry Division. Uniquely, members of Company K helped with the building, providing 6000 hours of labor in construction and landscaping of their new home. As is the case in most of the...

According to a DoD Heritage Report, the W.P.A. constructed an armory in Poplar, Montana. The location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Numbers 65‐91‐1603, and 165‐1‐91‐93 .

According to a DoD Heritage Report, the W.P.A. constructed an armory in Sidney, Montana. Assuming this project was undertaken, the location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Number 65‐91‐1593

"The WPA armory in Springfield sits atop a hill off Main Street in downtown Springfield. This building still retains a high degree of integrity and is now owned by the city. It serves as a community recreation center and the home of the city fire, rescue and ambulance services. A DES office is also located on the second floor of the building. "The first armory in Springfield was completed in 1941 by the Works Progress Administration... and dedicated in 1942. The armory is located at the top of a hill on Armory Hill Road which leads out of downtown Springfield....

"The Tonkawa Armory is located east of the downtown area on North Street. The armory is rectangular (136' x 124') and constructed of native limestone in the Romanesque style. The architect firm was Nolan, Bryan, Ahler. The roof is concrete and flat with parapets on the front (south) and west sides. An arched metal gable roof is located over the drill area. "The front which faces south has four overhead garage doors, and a single entry door recessed into the slightly projected entry bay. The west elevation is similar in construction. The windows are fixed single units. "The armory was constructed in...

The Watonga Armory was constructed between 1935 and 1937 as a WPA project. This can be documented by the bronze shield above the entrance, and the cornerstone. The armory was placed on the National Register in 1994. This is a very typical WPA-constructed Armory in Oklahoma, although the decorative brickwork shows a high degree of masonry skill. The south end of the building has a barrel-shaped roof and was the drill area. The two-story, flat-roofed North end has rooms for offices, supplies and arms on the second floor, and a garage area on the ground floor with overhead doors. The main facade...

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Whitehall, Montana. The location and status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal. Official Project Number 65‐91‐1592

The Williamsport Armory was constructed in 1937-8 as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $16,000 grant for the project, whose total cost was $47,896. PWA Docket No. PA 1822.

The W.P.A. constructed an armory in Wolf Point, Montana. "In the WPA records, an armory is listed in the same line with roads. The armory and barracks were near the courthouse, today's library, and the Coliseum. Without the WPA funding, the Coliseum, which was torn down to make way for the new Senior Center, was an option for a courthouse." W.P.A. Official Project Number 65‐91‐160X

The Works Progress Administration built an armory in Yale, OK in 1936. Contributor note: "The Armory in Yale, as with most Oklahoma armories, was constructed by the WPA. This stone armory is located at 200 S. Main, and appears to be either vacant, or perhaps used by the town for storage. The armory faces East and has two wooden doors located in a slightly projected fortress-style bay. The tall window units are multi-pane casement. One overhead vehicle door is located at the northeast corner. A cornerstone is located on the northeast corner and reads: 'State Armory Built by Works Progress Administration 1936 W.S. Key State...

The armory for Yazoo City was funded by the WPA with a projected cost of $52,000. Located on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Twelfth Street, it was intended for use as the armory, auditorium, and other public use. The monolithic concrete building was designed by architect N. W. Overstreet. The city provided about $20,000 through the bond sales for their contribution. Harris & Knowles was awarded contract for reinforcing steel, H. L. White Lumber Company for the lumber, and W. H. Johnston for electrical work. Lack of available WPA labor and materials shortages resulted in a delay of completion....