Military and Public Safety Sites

"Fort Homer W. Hesterly is a historic building at 522 North Howard Avenue in the West Tampa section of Tampa, Florida. An art deco style building. It took ten years to find an occupant for the building, once a premiere venue. It is now home to the Tampa Jewish Community Center & Federation. Performers have included Elvis Presley, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Tom Jones, The Animals, James Brown, Buddy Holly, Andy Griffith, Pink Floyd and the Doors. Many graduations and weddings have been held at the Fort. The National Guard used the armory until 2005. The...

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple construction and development projects at Fort Huachuca outside Sierra Vista, Arizona. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Improve buildings, grounds, and facilities; Project No. 165-3-02-25; Cost: $58,207.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Huachuca, U.S. Army Construct an airport; 165-3-02-65; $552,456.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Huachuca, U.S. Army Provide and construct buildings and facilities and improve grounds; 265-3-02-8; $63,769.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Huachuca, U.S. Army Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures and facilities; 113-3-02-65; $25,000.00; War Department -Q.M.C. Rehabilitate barracks and quarters; 13-3-02-76; $300,000.00; War Department -Q.M.C. Improve barracks, quarters, storehouses...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted numerous and extensive projects to improve and develop Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania. According to an article in the Greenville Record-Argus, one project, approved in the fall of 1940, included "improvements to the landing field, construction and improvement of buildings and installation of sewer and electric lines." Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Clear areas of timberland; Project No. 65-23-X44X. Construct road and oil and install drainage pipes; 165-23-1632; Cost: $290X01.00; Sponsor: Department of Military Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Construct sanitary sewer lines; 165-23-41XX; $125,439.00; Department of Military Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lay pipe...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop what was then known as Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson) near Columbia, South Carolina. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Construct third story and general repairs to building; Project No. 165-33-20XX; Cost: $3,500.00; Sponsor: State of South Carolina Construct and rehabilitate buildings and facilities, and improve grounds; 165-3-33-45; $602,841.00; Commanding General, Camp Jackson, U.S. Army Make building repairs and grade grounds; 165-33-X0XX; $6,794.00; State of South Carolina Reconstruct, improve, and alter existing buildings, facilities, and grounds; 265-2-33-12; $472,788.00; U.S. Army, Constructing Quartermaster,...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple large-scale projects to improve and develop Fort Jay on Governors Island in New York Harbor, New York, New York. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Improve buildings and grounds by constructing barracks, NCO quarters, roads, sidewalks, and utilities, grading, improving roads, sidewalks and utilities, landscaping; Project No. 713-2-21; Cost: $1,000,000.00; Sponsor: Commanding General, 2nd Corps Area, U.S. Army, and War Department Complete the construction of a theater at Fort Jay; 713-2-22; $111,000.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Jay, and War Department Recondition and make general improvements to buildings, facilities,...

Between 1935 and 1938, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) performed structural renovation and historic restoration work at this site, a remote historic fort 68 miles west of Key West on Bush Key. In 1992, it became a part of Dry Tortugas National Park.  

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement and development projects at what was then Fort Kearny—now the site of University of Rhode Island - Bay Campus—in Narragansett, Rhode Island. The projects included: 1. "Access road Fort Kearney," WPA Project No. 165‐1‐16‐74; $32,970, sponsored by the War Department. 2. "Construct and improve buildings," WPA Project No. 165‐3‐16‐99; $7,208, sponsored by the War Department.

"These barracks are one of several buildings erected at Fort Knox by the Quartermaster Corps of the Army and consist of 4 units of fireproof construction with concrete frames and brick curtain walls trimmed with stone. Another building, a 2-company barracks, is similar in design and construction, and both structures provide permanent quarters for 456 and 228 men, respectively. They are occupied by the First Cavalry, Mechanized. The project was completed in December 1935 and the P.W.A. allotment for the barracks and other buildings was $579,000."

The federal Work Projects Administration worked to improve the facilities at Fort Lafayette, located in an island off Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, during the early 1940s. One project involved "removing and replacing deck, sheathing, stringers, camps, bracing, fenders, and piles; improving baffles, painting, grading, filling," and performing other related work. "Upon the close of the War, Fort Lafayette no longer had a role in military operations, and fell in to a state of disrepair. In 1948, the Fort was transferred to the City of New York. It was demolished in 1960, and in its footprint was built a colossal tower rising...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted development efforts at Fort Leavenworth as part of multiple projects totaling more than $1 million. Projects included: Construct and improve buildings, structures, and facilities. Cost: $150,000. Sponsor: War Department ‐Q.M.C. WPA Project No. 113‐3‐82‐7 Construct and rehabilitate barracks and quarters and utilities. Cost: $355,045. Sponsor: War Department ‐Q.M.C. WPA Project No. 13‐3‐82‐7 Improve buildings and grounds. Cost: $424,649. Sponsor: War Department. WPA Project No. 165‐2‐82‐23 Improve roads and streets. Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Leavenworth, U.S. Army. WPA Project No. 365‐82‐1‐1 Make general improvements to buildings, utilities, walks, and grounds. Cost: $45,230. Sponsor: Commanding...

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple construction and development projects at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Construct and improve facilities; Project No. 165-3-55-445; Cost: $50,792.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Leonard Wood, U.S. Army Construct and improve facilities; 165-3-55-483; $162,175.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Leonard Wood, U.S. Army Make general improvements to recreational areas, roads, parade grounds, landing strips, and demolition areas; 265-2-55-13; $1,435,121.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Leonard Wood, U.S. Army The location and status of the facilities in question requires more research / is not known to Living New Deal.

Formerly known as the Army War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair is a U.S. Army post located at the confluence of the Potomac and the Anacostia Rivers. The site has been an army post for more than 200 years. During the New Deal, both the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) made extensive improvements to the post. In 1933-34, the CWA did everything from sewer construction and building renovations to adding a bandstand and repairing the bowling alley. Records in the National Archives provide these details: "Building concrete coal bin & retaining walls, south of incinerator; Making necessary branch...

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the former Fort Levett on Cushing Island in Portland, Maine. Project information: “Make general improvements to grounds” Official Project Number: 765‐11‐2‐3 Total project cost: $50,545.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Williams, U.S. Army

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple and extensive projects to improve and develop what was then known as Fort Lincoln, outside Bismarck, North Dakota . Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Repair and rehabilitate buildings, utilities, roads, and drainage, 13-2-73-X, 50,000.00, War Department Construct and improve buildings, facilities, and grounds, 165-5-73-34, 60,860.00, North Dakota National Guard Construct and improve buildings, facilities, utilities, and grounds, 265-5-73-44, 99,740.00, North Dakota National Guard Build roads and bridges, and clear and grub land, 65-73-1607, No amount listed, No sponsor Modernize buildings and facilities, landscape, and improve roads, 765-75-8-15, 162,315.00, Commanding Officer,...

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple construction and development projects at the former Fort Logan in Denver, Colorado. "After the fort closed the site was used as a mental health center and part of the land was set aside for the Fort Logan National Cemetery." Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Improve buildings, grounds, and facilities; Project No. 165-2-84-155; Cost: $641,530.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Logan, U.S. Army Grade and improve target range and training areas; 263-84-8002; $2,880.00; Quartermaster, Fort Logan Improve existing roads, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, utilities, and drainage facilities; 265-2-84-89; $403,382.00; U.S. Army,...

Landscaping of 40 acres in Fort Mason, San Francisco, San Francisco county. Planting trees and shrubs, seeding lawns. This project is a continuation of work begun under Federal Parks Project.--Mooser, p. 95.

Take up and relay approximately 800 lineal feet of railroad track serving Fort Mason, including new ties and ballast.--Mooser, p. 95.

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple construction and development projects at the former Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Prepare training grounds; Project No. 165-2-61-231; Cost: $79,461.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort McClellan, U.S. Army Construct target range; 165-3-61-173; $29,046.00; Commanding Officer, Fort McClellan, U.S. Army Prepare training grounds; 165-3-61-231; $74,805.00; Commanding Officer, Fort McClellan, U.S. Army Construct mess hall, kitchens, buildings and improveConstruct mess hall, kitchens, buildings and improve grounds.; 165-3-61-52; $127,041.00; Commanding Officer, Fort McClellan, U.S. Army Construct warehouse; 165-3-61-61; $40,840.00; Commanding Officer, Fort McClellan, U.S. Army...

From 1935-1941, the WPA worked on projects directly supporting the United States Military. In Wisconsin, the WPA along with the U.S. War Department worked on a $22,000 building project that saw them build 6 wood buildings and two stone gates in 1940 to 1941. The two stone gates are the only remaining structures that still stand today. This gate was called the Highway 16 gate as it was built just off of Highway 16 on County Highway A. This gate served as the main gate for Camp McCoy on a road which was created when the base opened in 1909....

This gate is an amazing engineering feet. It lays at approximately 250 feet long and is in very nice shape. This gate, once completed, was used as the post's main gate prior to the cantonment area moving to North of Highway 21 in 1942. Work on this gate started in 1940 and most likely was completed in 1941. The road, which is County Highway A has existed since the base opened in 1909. There is a historical sign outlining the WPA's contributions to then Camp McCoy.

Per a historical account of Fort McCoy, written as a result of the base's 100th anniversary, it was mentioned that the WPA worked on post during the construction of Highway 21 near the Fort. This construction resulted in many buildings and two stone gates. Per the 2009 report, the two stone gates were the only structures that remained. This stone gate is located on Ginger Road just off of Highway 21 going into South Post. This gate is still standing but it has degraded with time. Ginger Road leads to the current base housing unit for permanent Soldiers and families.

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted extensive construction and development work at the former Fort McIntosh in Laredo, Texas. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Repair and rehabilitation of buildings, roads, and utilities, and construct swimming pool; Project No. 13-2-66-14;Cost: $60,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Improve buildings, facilities, and grounds; 165-2-66-374; $34,425.00; Commanding Officer, Fort McIntosh, U.S. Army Improve municipal airport; 265-1-66-217; $162,946.00; Commanding Officer, Fort McIntosh, U.S. Army Make improvements to buildings, facilities, and grounds; 265-2-66-101; $225,347.00; Commanding Officer, Fort McIntosh, U.S. Army Improve grounds; 265-3-66-54; $67,285.00; Commanding Officer, Fort McIntosh, U.S. Army A...

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the former Fort McKinley, which operated from 1873 to 1947 on Great Diamond Island in Portland, Maine. Project information: “Rehabilitation of buildings including plumbing, heating, and electrical” Official Project Number: 13‐2‐11‐108 Total project cost: $40,000.00 Sponsor: War Department ‐Q.M.C. “Fts. Williams, McKinley, & Preble: Improve roads” Official Project Number: 165‐2‐11‐8 Total project cost: $189,576.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Williams, U.S. Army

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve Fort McPherson south of Maxwell, Nebrska. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Improve rifle range; Project No. 165-81-8099; Cost: $5,390.00; Sponsor: Nebraska National Guard, Company D, 134th Infantry Grade and surface drives, construct sidewalks, and landscape; 365-81-2-4; $5,290.00; Commanding Officer, Fort McPherson, U.S. Army The location and status of the facilities in question requires more research / is not known to Living New Deal.

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to develop Fort Meade in South Dakota. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures, and facilities; Project No. 113-3-74-25; Cost: $50,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Rehabilitate and modernize buildings, repair utilities and systems, and construct swimming pool, 13-3-74-52, 150,000.00, War Department Reconstruct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, facilities, utilities, and grounds, 165-3-74-206, 40,025.00, Commanding Officer, Fort Meade, U.S. Army Construct public access road, 265-3-74-18, 52,629.00, Commanding Officer, Fort Meade, U.S. Army Improve buildings and facilities, 265-3-74-39, 28,042.00, Commanding Officer, Fort Meade, U.S. Army Construct hay shed,...

Clear and level an area of 1 1/2 acres for the enlisted personnel of Fort Miley to use as a drill field and baseball diamond. This will involve moving 900 cubic yards of dirt. Erect a backstop of pipe and woven wire. Erect a spectators' grandstand--Mooser, p. 87.

The W.P.A. conducted development work at Fort Missoula in Montana. W.P.A. project info: "Construct additions to buildings" Official Project Number: 13‐3‐91‐160 Total project cost: $103,566.00 Sponsor: War Department "Construct additions to buildings" Official Project Number: 13‐3‐91‐35 Total project cost: $125,000.00 Sponsor: War Department "Construct additions to buildings" Official Project Number: 13‐3‐91‐X Sponsor: War Department "Construct additions to buildings" Official Project Number: 13‐3‐91‐X Total project cost: $21,434.00 Sponsor: War Department "Reconstruct and improve buildings and grounds" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐91‐81 Total project cost: $72,084.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Missoula, U.S. Army "Reconstruct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings and grounds" Official Project Number: 565‐91‐2‐14 Total project cost: $62,711.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Missoula, U.S. Army "Reconstruct and improve buildings and grounds" Official Project...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted millions of dollars (not even adjusted for inflation) of improvement and development work at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. No aspects of the installation were left untouched: improvement and construction work involved developing "an auxiliary flying field," roads, sidewalks, electrical, heading, plumbing and sewer systems, and erosion control. All manners of facilities were built, refurbished, improved, or expanded. A captioned image in "The Dawn," a WPA publication, states that conducted "extensive repair work" at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey ca. 1936. Here is one typical project description, Official Project #765‐22‐2‐14: Improve buildings, including general overhauling of plumbing, heating, and...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to improve Fort Monroe. $53,924 was allocated for the project in November 1938.

In 1934 several New Deal Programs provided funding and employed Fort Monroe laborers in the construction of the Fort Monroe Bandshell in Continental Park. The new bandshell replaced the previous one that had been destroyed by hurricanes in 1933. Capt. Harrington W. Cochran designed the bandshell for the 2nd Coast Artillery Band which played there for the first time in April 1934. Robert Kelly, Casemate Museum Historian at the Fort Monroe Authority, notes that Capt. Cochran's diary "documents Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Public Works Administration (PWA), and the Civil Works Administration (CWA) all either funding projects and/or providing labor for improvements across the post."

The WPA worked to improve the facilities and infrastructure at Fort Mott, southwest of Pennsville, New Jersey. The site is now a state park. These WPA projects were sponsored by the Commanding Officer, Fort DuPont, U.S. Army: "Improve cemetery road and dock road, including placing curbs, grading and paving roadway" Official Project Number: 765‐22‐1‐5 Total project cost: $12,198.00 "Improve buildings, grounds, and facilities" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐22‐215 Total project cost: $137,676.00 "Rehabilitate and improve buildings, facilities, and grounds" Official Project Number: 65‐2‐22‐365 Total project cost: $17,435.00

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Fort Moultrie in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Remodel, rehabilitate, and alter buildings, install heating plant, and rehabilitate utility systems; Project No. 13-3-33-51; Cost: $75,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Construct and improve buildings; 165-3-33-56; $104,012.00; War Department Recondition all batteries and attendant buildings; 265-33-200X; $24,910.00; U.S. Engineering Office Construct and improve buildings, facilities, utilities, and grounds; 265-3-33-16; $176,493.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Moultrie, U.S. Army Paint and repair old brick work in and outside of forts; 265-XX-X00X; $11,790.00; U.S....

Fort Myer is a US Army post adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. Along with many other military installations throughout the country, it received significant funding and improvements from New Deal agencies. One result was a new NCO housing area: "The NCO housing on Sheridan Avenue represents the effort to improve installations nation-wide. The Georgian and Colonial Revival elements of these buildings are typical of the construction on Army installations during this era."   (Fort Myer, Virginia: Historic Landscape Inventory) The “Microfilmed Index to WPA Projects” at the National Archives describes WPA work on the site in 1940-41: "Construct water and sewer lines, septic...

Originally known as the Arlington Cantonment and then as South Post, this area was a part of Fort Myer. In 1940, WPA labor was used to: "Construct, improve and rehabilitate buildings, including installing plumbing, heating and electrical facilities, public utility systems, water supply and purification, water and sewer lines, roads and walks at Arlington Cantonment, grade and drain grounds, perform incidental and appurtenant work." South Post has since been demolished and the grounds have become a part of Arlington National Cemetery, located directly adjacent to the rest of Fort Myer.

The WPA performed structural renovation and historic restoration work at this site in 1937.    

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple substantial projects to improve and develop what was then the military facility: Fort Oglethorpe, which formed the basis for the incorporated city of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Improve rifle range; Project No. 65-34-594; Sponsor: Rehabilitate and improve buildings and utility systems; 113-2-34-26; $88,557.00; War Department Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures, and facilities; 113-3-34-57; $10,000.00; War Department Improve buildings, install plumbing, electrical, facilities, landscape; 765-34-1-3; $21,352.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Oglethorpe Improve building, including electrical, water, and sewerage systems; improve roads, and operate...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Fort Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Thin and transplant shrubbery, seed barren areas, and repair and rehabilitate roads and utilities systems; Project No. 13-2-81-111; Cost: $50,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Improve buildings and grounds; 165-2-81-191; $45,577.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Omaha, U.S. Army Paint and repair sidewalks and ceiling and build shelves; 165-81-2054; $684.00; Nebraska National Guard Make general improvements; 365-81-2-1; $32,873.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Omaha, U.S. Army Access road to Fort Omaha; 65-1-81-2299; $577,419.00; War Department Construct and...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York; now a State Historic Site. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Repair and rehabilitate buildings; Project No. 13-2-21-93; Cost: $30,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Remodel building to be used as motor repair shop and motor school; 165-2-21-467; $5,027.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Ontario, U.S. Army Paint interior and exterior of buildings; 165-2-21-524; $7,247.00; Commanding Officer, Fort Ontario, U.S. Army A non-construction project to improve and rehabilitate buildings, public utility systems, water supply and purification, water and sewer lines,...

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 5441 transfered from work done on the Wilderness Battlefield in Virginia to Fort Ord October 12, 1937. "The enrollees are engaged in the improvement and maintenance of the Ord Military Reservation." "In 1937, under reservation status, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed many temporary buildings on the site. None of these structures stand today. In 1939, the US Army upgraded the base to Fort Ord. The Army increased intensity of use again in 1940 when the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a number of structures on East Garrison. The East Garrison currently consists of over seventy-five buildings...