Military and Public Safety Sites

From a state historical marker at the site: “Fort Ashby, one in the chain of Indian forts built by George Washington, 1755.  Sharp fighting here, 1756.  In 1794, troops under Gen. Danial Morgan camped here on their way to suppress Whiskey Rebellion.  Fort restored by W.P.A., 1939.”

From 1936 to 1938, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) did renovations and upgrades to Fort Baker, an Army base on the north side of the Golden Gate dating from the early 1900s. One project included renewal of the storm water drainage system, repair of the electric and water distribution system, and three new fire hydrants. It also included installation of a steam heating system in Barracks No. 1 (structure no. 602), which had been heated by fireplaces. (Thompson, p. 59) Most of the buildings got a new coat of paint, inside and out. Latrines, kitchens, and mess halls received two coats of paint.  Later,...

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted a development / improvement program at the former Fort Banks in Winthrop, Mass. "Rehabilitate buildings and improve grounds" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐252 Total project cost: $138,214.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Banks, U.S. Army "Improve buildings and grounds" Official Project Number: 365‐14‐2‐20 Total project cost: $87,654.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Harbor Defenses of Fort Banks, U.S. Army "Improve buildings and grounds" Official Project Number: 365‐14‐2‐6 Total project cost: $85,656.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Harbor Defenses of Boston, Fort Banks, U.S. Army "Improve, reconstruct, and modernize buildings and grounds" Official Project Number: 765‐14‐2‐15 Total project cost: $143,252.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Banks, U.S. Army "Improve buildings, etc. at Forts Banks,...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop the former Fort Barrancas (now a part of Naval Air Station Pensacola) in Pensacola, Florida. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Rehabilitate public buildings and utilities, improve grounds and parks; Project No. 765-35-2-3; Cost: $29,936.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Barrancas Improve and reconstruct buildings and utilities; 765-35-2-4; $50,648.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Barrancas Rehabilitate railroad; 765-35-2-5; $1,151.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Barrancas Mosquito control; 765-35-2-6; $5,871.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Barrancas Construct roads; 865-36-1-1; $39,023.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Barrancas Enlarge hospitalization facilities; 165-3-35-142; $59,740.00; War...

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted construction and improvement projects at the former Fort Bayard north of Santa Clara, New Mexico. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Construct a rifle target range for use of the National Guard and the general public, and perform work appurtenant thereto, on the Gila National Forest; Project No. 665-85-2-2; Cost: $3,313.00; Sponsor: New Mexico National Guard Construct sanitary and storm sewer; 265-85-4000; $11,774.00; U.S. Veterans Administration The location and status of the facilities in question requires more research / is not known to Living New Deal.

Extensive rock work was done from locally quarried limestone, building the Grand Staircase, fireplaces, patios, lily ponds, fencing, and other landscaping items. The site is that of Fort Belle Fontaine, a historic fort initially established on a bluff on the south side of the Missouri River by the French, but important in the War of 1812. The last night of the Lewis and Clark expedition was spent just below the bluff, west of the Changing Rooms. Eleanor Roosevelt visited in 1939. The development was done in part to encourage youths to the Missouri Hills Home for boys.

Originally called Fort Humphreys, this Army post was established during World War I. The name was changed to Fort Belvoir in 1935. "Title I of the Work Relief and Public Works Appropriation Act gave $13,942,572 in WPA funds and $52,283,400 in PWA funds for Army housing. Spent at 64 posts, 285 projects, 1091 sets of quarters. These projects had to be substantially completed by Jan. 1, 1940...Both Jadwin Loop Village and Gerber Village expanded in 1939 with the addition of row houses using PWA workers."   (https://www.fortbelvoirhousinghistory.com) WPA work on the site in 1938-40 included: "Improve grounds at Fort Humphreys…including rehabilitating roads and sidewalks,...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted major development  projects at Fort Benning south of Columbus, Georgia. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Improve buildings and grounds construct barracks, fire station, cooks' school, and warehouse; Project No. 715-3-77; Cost: $477,000.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Benning Make general improvements to military reservation; 265-2-34-106; $580,498.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Benning, U.S. Army Construct buildings, utilities, and water supply system; 13-3-34-13X; $100,000.00; War Department Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures, and facilities; 113-3-34-29; $750,000.00; War Department Construct temporary housing and rehabilitate buildings; 13-3-34-25; $275,000.00; War Department Improve roads; 765-34-1-1;...

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted extensive construction and development work at Fort Bliss. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Construct and improve facilities and grounds; Project No. 265-3-85-101; Cost: $12,381.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Bliss, U.S. Army Construct and improve facilities; 265-3-85-83; $50,753.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Bliss, U.S. Army Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures, and facilities.; 113-3-66-71; $1,000.00; War Department Rehabilitation of hospital, buildings, and utilities, and improve grounds.; 13-2-66-114; $27,000.00; War Department Construction of buildings and utilities.; 13-3-66-53; $125,000.00; War Department Construct sanitary sewers from Fort Bliss to Alamogordo Street; 165-1-66-100; $29,545.00;...

Between 1935 and 1938, the WPA performed structural renovation and historic restoration work at this site. From the Bridger Valley Pioneer: One of the Valley projects funded by WPA was the artesian well in Fort Bridger. It still runs today, but sits in a sad state of disrepair. A local group, the Fort Bridger Beautification Committee working as a state centennial committee approached the Uinta County Commissioners to be able to improve the lot and make the well site a nice area for the community. The committee even received state grant to improve a small portion of the available property....

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop what was then Fort Brown in Brownsville, Texas. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Rehabilitation of buildings and utility systems, and construction of buildings; Project No. 13-3-66-54; Cost: $50,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Make improvements to buildings, facilities, and grounds; 265-2-66-37; $225,225.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Brown, U.S. Army Improve Fort Brown; 62-2-66-569; $53,059.00; War Department Rehabilitate and make improvements to Fort Brown; 65-2-66-569; $70,765.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Brown, U.S. Army Improve buildings and grounds; 765-65-2-22; $72,620.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Brown, U.S. Army The location...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted numerous projects to improve and develop Fort Clark outside Brackettville, Texas. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures, and facilities; Project No. 113-3-66-54; Cost: $84,051.00; Sponsor: War Department Rehabilitation of buildings and utility systems, and drain and fill areas; 13-3-66-55; $100,000.00; War Department Improve roads; 165-2-66-436; $46,213.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Clark, U.S. Army Improve and rehabilitate roads, buildings, utilities, and facilities; 735-66-2-11; $20,749.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Clark, U.S. Army Improve Los Koras Creek; 765-XX-2-10; $47,752.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Clark, U.S. Army Construct ornamental...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Fort Crockett in Galveston, Texas. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures, and facilities; Project No. 113-3-66-40; Cost: $50,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures, and facilities; 113 3 66 81; $25,000.00; War Department Construct garages, and rehabilitate roads, utilities, and buildings; 13-3-66-125; $60,000.00; War Department Improve streets and roads; 265-2-66-191; $30,067.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Crockett, U.S. Army Access road to Fort Crockett; 65-1-66-2565; $47,819.00; War Department Improve buildings, grounds, and facilities; 713-2-61; $150,000.00;...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Fort Crook in near Bellevue, Nebraska. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Construct barracks, resurface road, and rehabilitate buildings and utility systems; Project No. 13-3-81-1XX; Cost: $50,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Construct and improve facilities; 165-3-81-270; $140,464.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Crook, U.S. Army Improve buildings, utilities, facilities, and grounds; 265-2-81-117; $217,588.00; U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, Fort Crook Surface and grade roads; 265-81-1000; $19,411.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Crook, U.S. Army General renovation of barrack; 265-81-2001; $15,027.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Crook, U.S. Army Repairs...

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted extensive construction and development work at the former Fort D. A. Russell in Marfa, Texas. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Repair and rehabilitation of buildings and utilities; Project No. 13-2-66-11; Cost: $30,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Construct theatre and modernize and rehabilitate utilities; 13-3-66-142; $38,000.00; War Department Reconstruct and improve roads; 165-2-66-19; $39,109.00; U.S. Army, Commanding Office, Fort D.A. Russell Improve 165-3-66-213; $18,864.00; Commanding Office, Fort D.A. Russell, U.S. Army Reconstruct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings and facilities; 265-2-66-268; $113,020.00; Commanding Officer, Fort D.A. Russell, U.S. Army Make improvements to...

Originally constructed as an armory, what is now the Fort Decatur Recreation Center was constructed in 1938 with federal funds. The building "was designed by Carolyn Cortner Smith, Alabama’s first licensed female architect." Living New Deal believes the Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided support for construction of the armory.

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) undertook the following project at Fort Delaware in Delaware City, Delaware. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Rehabilitate barracks and tore buildings, fill and grade low areas, develop and improve outdoor recreational facilities, clear trees, provide fencing at Fort DuPont and grounds at Fort Delaware; Project No. 65-2-24-72; Cost: $1,164,450.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort DuPont, U.S. Army The location and status of the work in question requires more research / is not known to Living New Deal. Fort Delaware is now a state park.

The Work Projects Administration (W.P.A.) undertook extensive construction and development work at then-Fort Devens in preparation for U.S. Army use. The following W.P.A. projects were sponsored by the Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army, and the War Department: "Repair and rehabilitate buildings" Official Project Number: 13‐2‐14‐90 Total project cost: $122,340.00 "Complete the construction of buildings and utilities" Official Project Number: 13‐3‐14‐134 Total project cost: $277,660.00 "Rehabilitate buildings, facilities, utilities, and grounds" Official Project Number: 154‐2‐14‐457 Total project cost: $655,502.00 "Repair and paint buildings and targets" Official Project Number: 165‐14‐XXXX "Improve buildings, facilities, and grounds" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐200 Total project cost: $117,689.00 "Improve roads" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐521 Total project cost: $797,818.00...

Dating from WWI, Fort Dix provided training for soldiers enlisted in the U.S. Army. According to a Works Progress Administration (WPA) Information Division document, the WPA engaged in “Campwide improvement to grounds, including grading, checking of soil erosion, improvements to drainage to eliminate mud, and clearing fire trails and brush; construction of target pits and machine gun range, landing field, one mile of railroad. Construction or repair of garage, motor repair shop, schools, tent floors, incinerator, sawmill, woodshop, quarters, storage buildings, mess hall, cold storage plant, hospital, airport buildings, disposal plant, improvements of water supply system, clearing of ditches...

Fort Douglas was expanded during the New Deal, including several buildings and improvements to the water and street systems.  The CCC took over a warehouse (building 101) and added stables and quarters along both sides.  The PWA funded the construction of large new barracks (building 100). The WPA added several homes for senior officers (buildings 621-625 on the central parade grounds, along De Trobriand Street) and non-commissioned officers (buildings 658, 600, 664, 665, 666 on Connor Road), along with entrance columns.  The WPA also built a recreation building and swimming pool (no longer extant), bath house and a gas station (modified from...

Fort Douglas was expanded during the New Deal, including several buildings and improvements to the water and street systems.   The PWA funded the construction of large new barracks (building 100).   The CCC also took over a warehouse (building 101) and added stables and quarters along both sides. The WPA added several homes for senior officers (buildings 621-625 on the central parade grounds, along De Trobriand Street) and non-commissioned officers (buildings 658, 600, 664, 665, 666 on Connor Road), along with entrance columns, and other improvements. More photos of WPA work during the 1930s are in the archives of the library at the University of...

Fort Douglas was expanded during the New Deal by the PWA, CCC and WPA.  The WPA added several homes for senior officers (buildings 621-625 on the central parade grounds, along De Trobriand Street) and non-commissioned officers (buildings 658, 600, 664, 665, 666 on Connor Road), along with entrance columns.  These are all still in use. There are several other WPA works at Fort Douglas that are harder to document or have disappeared:  a recreation hall (gone), bath house (still standing), swimming pool (filled in?), gas station (modified from an earlier stone building that still stands), and improvements to the water and street systems (invisible). The only...

Fort Douglas was expanded during the New Deal, including several buildings and improvements to the water and street systems.  The CCC took over a warehouse (building 101) and added stables and quarters along both sides.   In addition, the PWA funded the construction of large new barracks (building 100) and the WPA added several homes for senior officers (buildings 621-625 on the central parade grounds, along De Trobriand Street) and non-commissioned officers (buildings 658, 600, 664, 665, 666 on Connor Road), along with other improvements. More photos taken by the WPA during the 1930s are in the archives of the library at the University of...

Fort Douglas was expanded during the New Deal by the PWA, CCC and WPA.   The WPA added several houses for non-commissioned officers (buildings 658, 600, 664, 665, 666 on Connor Road), as well as for senior officers.  These are all still in use. There are several other WPA works at Fort Douglas that are harder to document or have disappeared.  The only site marked as New Deal on the base is the bathhouse.   More photos taken by the WPA during the 1930s are in the archives of the library at the University of Utah, but have not yet been examined.  

Fort Douglas was expanded during the New Deal by the PWA, CCC and WPA.  The WPA added several houses for senior officers (buildings 621-625 on the central parade grounds, along De Trobriand Street) and non-commissioned officers (buildings 658, 600, 664, 665, 666 on Connor Road), along with entrance columns.  These are all still in use. There are several other WPA works at Fort Douglas that are harder to document or have disappeared.  The only site marked as New Deal on the base is the bathhouse.   More photos taken by the WPA during the 1930s are in the archives of the library at the University of...

Fort Douglas was expanded during the New Deal by the PWA, CCC and WPA.  The WPA added several homes for senior officers (buildings 621-625 on the central parade grounds, along De Trobriand Street) and non-commissioned officers (buildings 658, 600, 664, 665, 666 on Connor Road), along with entrance columns.  These are all still in use. There are several other WPA works at Fort Douglas that are harder to document or have disappeared:  a recreation building (pictured), swimming pool (filled in?), a gas station (modified from an earlier stone building that still stands), and improvements to the water and street systems (invisible). The only site marked...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) undertook multiple substantial projects to improve and develop Fort DuPont in Delaware City, Delaware. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Construct pontoon shed; Project No. 165-3-24-23; Cost: $34,236.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer Fort DuPont U.S. Army Construct and improve buildings, facilities, and grounds; 165-3-24-42; $160,663.00; Commanding Officer, Fort DuPont, U.S. Army Construct and improve buildings, facilities, and grounds; 265-3-24-4; $668,912.00; Commanding Officer, Fort DuPont, U.S. Army Construct pontoon sheds, and boat and electrical facilities; 265-3-24-5; $122,783.00; Commanding Officer, Fort DuPont, U.S. Army Construct and improve buildings, facilities, and grounds; 265-3-24-8;...

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at Fort Duvall in Hull, Mass. Project information: "Improve buildings and grounds " Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐251 Total project cost: $132,214.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Banks, U.S. Army

The former Fort Ethan Allen, which occupied land in the towns of Colchester and Essex, Vermont, was a military installation that operated between 1894 and 1944. The base, as well as associated encampments, underwent massive efforts by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Projects included: Improve and reconstruct buildings, transportation facilities, utilities, systems, and other appurtenant work. Cost: $293,531. Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Ethan Allen, U.S Army. WPA Project No. 765-12-2-1 Improve Machine Gun School and Officer's Training Corps Camps. Cost: $55,211. Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Ethan Allen, U.S Army. WPA Project Nos. 785-12-3-5, 765-12-2-6 A non-construction project to improve buildings, public...

A HABS Survey Report describes CCC work at Fort Foote Park: “Constructed as part of a ring of Civil War fortifications surrounding Washington, DC, and intended to replace the aging Fort Washington located a few miles down the river, Fort Foote is the best-preserved Civil War-era fort in the area.  Some of its ramparts are fully readable and two massive Rodman cannon are still fixed on the river.  The CCC constructed a sea wall below the fort along 958 feet of Potomac River shoreline.  Built to prevent erosion of the bluff on which Fort Foote sits, the rip rapping entailed 1942...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted multiple improvement and development projects at Fort Getty in Jamestown, Rhode Island. The projects included road construction and building improvements.

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Fort H.G. Wright on Fishers Island, New York. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Rehabilitate buildings; Project No. 13-3-21-130; Cost: $50,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Improve buildings, facilities, and grounds; 165-2-15-9X; $31,871.00; Commanding Officer, Fort H.G. Wright, U.S. Army Develop airport; 165-3-15-151; $500,846.00; Commanding Officer, Fort H.G. Wright, U.S. Army Improve utilities and grounds; 165-3-21-179; $105,636.00; Commanding Officer, Fort H.G. Wright, U.S. Army Rehabilitate communication and fire control systems; 265-2-15-15; $6,209.00; Commanding General, 1st Corps Area, U.S. Army Improve roads, buildings, and facilities;...

The WPA undertook several large-scale projects to improve and develop Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York during the 1930s and early 1940s. One project called for the WPA to repair and reconstruct buildings; improve the "water and lighting installations" as well as "sewer installation and other utilities" at; and "improve the roads and grounds" at the base. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Improve buildings, grounds, and facilities, including demolishing obsolete buildings, reconditioning roads and walks and water and sewer systems, regarding parade grounds landscaping, placing sewer pipe installing plumbing, heating, and electrical facilities, painting,...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted substantial development work at the former Fort Hancock. Numerous projects undertaken by the New Deal agency, totaling more than two million dollars , included utility and infrastructure overhauls, building new military facilities, reconstructing docks, erecting a training camp, and even building tennis courts.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement work along the railroad at what was then Fort Hancock, New Jersey in 1936.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted development work at Fort Harrison in Montana. W.P.A. project info: "Construct building and improve grounds" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐91‐4 Total project cost: $591,019.00 Sponsor: Montana State Armory Board "Construct recreation hall and rest room" Official Project Number: 565‐91‐2‐15 Total project cost: $11,485.00 Sponsor: Montana National Guard "Complete construction of recreation hall" Official Project Number: 65‐1‐91‐81 Total project cost: $6,612.00 Sponsor: Montana National Guard "Construct facilities" Official Project Number: 65‐3‐91‐235 Total project cost: $14,654.00 Sponsor: Montana National Guard "Construct new kitchen and mess hall, and move temporary kitchens" Official Project Number: 865‐91‐8‐8 Total project cost: $1,735.00 Sponsor: Montana National Guard

Between 1935 and 1938, the WPA performed structural renovation and historic restoration work at this site. From Wikipedia: From 1928, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Macon Kiwanis Club raised funds to create a replica of one of the blockhouses to memorialize the fort. In 1933 the government began archaeological excavations at the Ocmulgee Old Fields, supported by workers and funding of the US Works Progress Administration (WPA) under President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. In 1936, one of the archaeologists, Gordon R. Willey, did enough work at Fort Hawkins to establish the original "footprint" of the...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop what was then Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Repair and rehabilitation of buildings; Project No. 13-2-42-96; Cost: $13,790.00; Sponsor: War Department Repair and rehabilitation of buildings; 13-2-42-96; $36,210.00; War Department Repair and rehabilitation of buildings; 13-X-XX-95; $9,815.00; War Department Improve facilities; 165-3-42-110; $109,062.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Hayes, U.S. Army Improve buildings, facilities, and grounds; 265-2-42-7; $470,897.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Hayes, U.S. Army Paint officers quarters; 65-42-1458; Excavate under existing building; 65-42-17688; Construct Artillery Garage; 65-42-470; Improve National Guards Headquarters; 65-42-566; The location and...

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at Fort Heath in Winthrop, Mass. Project information: "Improve buildings, etc. at Forts Banks, Heath and Rice Wharf" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐59 Sponsor: War Department

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) laborers repaired Boston's old Fort Hill Fire Station during the mid-1930s. The building was torn down in 1952 to make way for construction of the since-buried downtown freeway.