Military and Public Safety Sites

The WPA undertook several projects to improve Staten Island's Miller Field Airport, a then-U.S. Army facility, during the 1930s and early 1940s. One project called upon the WPA to: "Improve Miller Field Airport at New Dorp Lane ... by landscaping grounds; constructing and reconstructing buildings, roads, lighting, sewer, and drainage systems; and performing appurtenant work." Miller Field is now a park, part of the "Staten Island Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area, which is managed by the National Park Service." (Wikipedia)

"Millinocket Municipal Airport is operated by the Town of Millinocket. Located on Medway Road, the airport has been in existence since the 1930's when it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the W.P.A. The airport has two runways, a main terminal, 3 municipally owned hangers, 3 privately owned hangers and 13 tie-downs." Under MERA it received a 2400 x 110 graded cinder runway and a 2000 x 100 graded cinder runway. The town selectman report in 1937 remarked that ninety men were employed and work was progressing satisfactorily. $ 29,066.08 had been spent by 1937 on the construction."   (https://www.millinocket.org) W.P.A. project...

"The Millville airport was dedicated on August 2, 1941, by local, state, and federal officials. The first contingent of Air Corps personnel arrived on 17 December 1942. In less than a year construction of base facilities began, and in January 1943, the Millville Army Air Field opened as a United States Army Air Forces gunnery school for fighter pilots. It was assigned to First Air Force." The Work Projects Administration (WPA) undertook a $740,593.00 project to construct the airport, sponsored by the War Department. Official Project Number: 165‐1‐22‐337.

"This armory at Minneapolis provides quarters for 16 artillery, infantry, and naval units of the National Guard and Naval Militia. The main drill hall is flanked on each side by balconies underneath which are 16 supply rooms, each with an office and orderly room. There are also a trophy room, medical-examination rooms, officers' rooms, recreation rooms, and storerooms. The building is 215 by 330 feet in plan and is constructed of reinforced concrete, steel, and brick. The exterior walls have a high granite base above which they are brick with stone trim. The curved roof is supported by hinged steel arches. It...

America Builds: "At Moose Lake in Minnesota a PWA allotment enabled the State to build a complete new $2,181,500 unit in the State asylum system. On 1,700 acres in Carlton County there have gone up a new administration building, men's receiving hospital, women's receiving hospital, auditorium, gymnasium, service building, women's dormitory, men's dormitory, nurses' home, doctors' home, male employees' dormitory, two residences, power plant, garage and shop building, freight depot, dairy barn, horse barn, chicken house, piggery, and three cottages for farmers. This project includes landscaping, roads, and equipment for buildings and for the farm. Many of the mental hospitals are...

The federal Work Projects Administration worked to improve Mitchel Field (later Mitchel Air Force Base), located in Hempstead, New York, during the 1930s and early 1940s. The WPA constructed the air base's runways as well as a hangar addition and other structures. The field, after being closed in 1961, was given to Nassau County for redevelopment. Nassau Community College, Mitchel County Park, and the Nassau Veterans Coliseum now lie on the former air base site.

Youth employed by the National Youth Administration carried out maintenance work at the Mona Airfield on Mona Island. “Campos is one of the Mona boys engaged in clearing and maintaining the Mona Air Field, strategic L-shaped landing field controlling historic Mona Passage midway between Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico. Campos is also champion boxer of the project.”

In 1885, the Montana Territorial Legislature authorized the organization of a National Guard. Within three years its nine companies were headquartered in the territorial capital at Helena. Since that time Montana Guard personnel have been called up for State Active Duty to assist with riots, strikes, natural disasters, law enforcement, search and rescue, and other emergencies. Montana citizen soldiers mustered into federal service for military actions including the Spanish American War in 1898, the Philippine Insurrection in 1899, World War I France, throughout World War II's Pacific Theatre, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, the Persian Gulf War, Bosnia and Kuwait,...

"Albuquerque is home to scores of WPA buildings and works. Among the most prolific are the following- ... John Gaw Meem designed both Scoles Hall and Zimmerman Library on the campus of the University of New Mexico (the corner of University and Central). Both have undergone redesign and restoration, but still carry many of the architects innovative design features. Also on the campus of UNM, the Anthropology building is from that era, and contains three large murals by Joseph Imhof. The Old Albuquerque Municipal Airport (2920 Yale SE) is a Pueblo revival style two-story building that stands in the shadow of the Albuquerque...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a county jail in Montrose, CO. The two-story structure was built of store quarried locally. The federal expenditure was $18,514. Local sponsors contributed an additional $9,348. While not still in use the building, which bears a 1936 inscription and a plaque crediting the WPA with its construction, still stands. The plaque reads: Erected through the cooperation of federal, state and local governments by Works Progress Administration Dedicated to the enrichment of human lives A record of permanent achievement

The Work Projects Administration (W.P.A.) undertook construction and development work at what was then Moore Army Airfield, a part of Fort Devens development. "Clear small brush and prepare for construction of a landing field" Official Project Number: 165‐14‐4057 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army "Improve air field" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐528 Total project cost: $624,000.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army "Improve airport" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐628 Total project cost: $514,000.00 Sponsor: War Department "Develop landing field" Official Project Number: 565‐14‐1‐32 Total project cost: $80,989.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army

Morse Field was a military air field from about 1941-1953. WPA funds helped improve the air field between 1941 and 1942.

McComb's municipal auditorium/city armory/gymnasium on Virginia Avenue served as the armory for Company L, 155th infantry from 1938-1940 (MDAH/Historic Resources Inventory). Constructed by the Work Progress Administration between 1936-1938, the facility was destroyed by fire in 1952. Work on the field house was begun in July 1936, and within a few weeks, the gymnasium and armory components were added. Work was suspended December 1936 when the facility was 30% complete. A February 1937 news item indicated "work will be resumed on the long stagnated combination Field House, Gymnasium and Armory building" (To resume work, p. 1). A. J. Spradlin was...

Lead, South Dakota's striking Art Deco Municipal Building was constructed as a Public Works Administration (PWA) project during the Great Depression, although construction is sometimes mis-attributed to the Works Progress Administration (WPA; see Lead Historic Preservation). The building "allowed the city to consolidate the various city offices, a courtroom and the fire department under one roof." The PWA provided a $31,909 grant toward the project, whose total cost was $79,165. Construction occurred between Nov. 1936 and Dec. 1937. PWA Docket No. S.D. 1042-R

Lehighton, Pennsylvania's historic Municipal Building was built in 1936. Its construction was enabled by the provision of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $20,455 grant for the project, whose total cost was $47,764. Construction occurred between Feb. and Sept. 1936. PWA Docket No. PA W1312

This building was constructed by the WPA in 1940: "A rectangular...structure, the Skiatook Municipal Building looks very much like an armory. It is constructed of dressed and lightly rusticated native sandstone laid randomly...It appears to be a military armory, but it was planned and has always been utilized as a municipal facility."   (www.okhistory.org) The building is currently occupied by the town Police Department.

This building was constructed as Springville's municipal and fire hall building by the WPA in 1936-1937. It no longer appears to house the fire department, but continues to serve as a municipal building housing the police department, court and other offices.

The old Haverstraw Municipal Building, which now serves as a Fire Department facility, 25 Fairmount Ave., was constructed with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $39,000 loan and $31,909 grant for the project, whose total cost was $81,681. Construction occurred between Dec. 1936 and Aug. 1937. PWA Docket No. NY 1313

According to an index of WPA projects in the national archives, the WPA did extensive work in Brentwood, including: installing water mains, constructing sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and paving and storm drainage. Records show the WPA also constructed a Law Hall for Municipal offices, a fire department and a community hall. The exact location and current status of these buildings is unknown.

Many useful things were done in this coastal community whose population in 1930 was 2,135. The 1934 town report mentions E.R.A. work on the fire station, and the 1936 town report of the Fire Chief requests appropriations in order to finish work started by the E.R.A. The identity of this fire station is unknown to the Living New Deal, but it does not appear to be the station in use now. The 1935 town report mentions an unspecified E.R.A. project for labor and supplies costing $1,030. In the 1936 town report 18 men are mentioned in connection with a W.P.A. road project. No....

The annual March 1933 to March 1934 town report notes: "REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT We were fortunate to get $700.00 C. W. A. money to lay a cement floor in the hose house and build seven fire dams." Rec’d from State, C. W. A. Drainage project, $91.44 15 employed REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS "Your school officials have organized and carried out one C. W. A. School Project under which during the last three months 14 class rooms in the different schools have been thoroughly renovated on the inside. Another project has placed several inches of gravel over the greater part of...

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 two years have undoubtedly greatly reduced our Charity costs..." In addition to extensive work on the city's sewer and street systems, the report describes two more municipal projects: "Cordwood was cut in Mendon by City residents for their own use, by the City Welfare Department and by VERA and WPA for use by the Charity Department. Reformatory, A large program of improving the grounds...

Municipal Jail under construction in Utuado.

Montana's Big Timber Pioneer newspaper reported in 1936: "Work on PWA projects in Polson is well under way. Construction of a new jail and fire house has started, adjacent to the new city hall which was constructed with a grant of federal funds last year. C. J. Loveland who was superintendent for the construction of the new city hall is again in charge."

The Works Progress Administration built the Municipal Pool and Bathhouse in Cordell, OK Contributor note: "The municipal pool and bathhouse is located across the street south from the WPA park, at 504 E. 2nd Street. It was constructed by the WPA in 1937. The bathhouse is a one-story rock building with protruding mortar. The building is segmented into three parts with the center section projected to the west, and slightly recessed on the east poolside. The windows are large and multi-paned. The pool to the east of the bathhouse is large and was empty and dry at the time of our visit. A sign...

"There is a Work Projects Administration plaque, dated 1938-1940, on the front of the building, and the school's cornerstone references the WPA and the dates 1939-1940. A Texas Historical Marker at the rear entrance (which is the main entrance today) elaborates: " 'Murphy was originally called Old Decatur after the hometown of founder C.A. McMillen. In 1888 the town was renamed Murphy after William Murphy donated land to build a train depot and a post office. The Federal Works Project Administration (WPA) built Murphy School in 1939, which because of consolidation lasted only until 1950. The city purchased the building and...

The building housing FDNY Engine 274/Battalion 52 in Murray Hill, Flushing, was constructed in 1939 by the Work Projects Administration.

This WPA armory was constructed by the WPA in 1936-37: "The Muskogee armory is a huge two-story, essentially rectangular shaped (260' x 160) building of cut, coursed, and rusticated native stone of buff colors. The masonry is of exceptional quality... Architecturally, the armory is unique as a WPA structure for its massive size, quality of workmanship, and its vernacular style."   (wpa3muskogee.pdf) The building is now in use as the Muskogee Teen Center.

The Works Progress Administration constructed concrete runways in 1941 at the newly established Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. The base was closed in 1993; Myrtle Beach International Airport occupies the former Air Force Base site and much of the land of the former base is still in the process of redevelopment for civilian purposes.

WPA crews built this armory in 1939. It has a central barrel vaulted auditorium and surrounding single story offices, all of which has a native stone façade that is in excellent condition on the exterior.  It is on the east side of Doniphan and likely used some of the rock masons who were used on the school rock wall project.

The Works Progress Administration built the National Guard Armory in Douglas, Converse County. The exact location and condition of this facility are unknown to the Living New Deal.

The historic National Guard Armory in Fort Mill, South Carolina was constructed in 1938 with federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) assistance. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The armory is located along the west side of Unity St. between E. Elliott St. and E. Leroy St.

The Works Progress Administration built the National Guard Armory in Gadsden. The armory was located between Riverside Drive and Cherry Street east of South 1st Street, north of Hughes Cemetery, and has since been demolished.

"The Guthrie Armory was constructed between 1935 and 1937 by the Works Progress Administration. With sandstone quarried on-site, using local, unskilled labor, this building is typical of WPA construction in Oklahoma. This is a one-story building, 125 x 140 feet, located in a residential/recreational area known as Highland Park. The architect was Bryan W. Nolen. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. ...The building has an Art Deco appearance, with the placement of recessed stonework on the front, and the projected pilasters rising to a stepped parapet. The building has its original windows and overhead...

In 1935, Congress was considering legislation that would provide Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds for the construction of National Guard armories for communities whose National Guard units were currently renting space. If communities would provide a square block of land, deeded to the state, the federal government would loan the community $25,000.00 for a standard plan armory. Hartington was among the communities that indicated an interest in the program. In late September, Hartington was given notification that they had been selected for one of the $25,000.00 grants.

An economic account of Kearney is given in The Kearney Daily Hub paper of November 19, 1935, reporting facts disclosed at a joint Buffalo County Board and Kearney City Council meeting. Board Chairperson Martin Slattery reported that “There were nearly five thousand persons on relief in Buffalo County last year, practically as many as the combined populations of Ravenna, Shelton, Gibbon, Elm Creek, and all other towns in the county outside Kearney.” Chairman of the County Board’s poor committee, Gene Loomis reported that there were then “about 150 non-employable cases on relief, as well as about 175 employable but jobless...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the National Guard Armory in Kokomo IN. WPA project numbers: O.P. 65-52-2377 "Armory improvements" and O.P. 65-52-X7 "State armory improvements."

"The Ligonier Armory is the headquarters of Company F, One Hundred and Third Medical Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and was part of a general program to house properly the military forces of the State. The building provides a drill hall, 60 by 90 feet, a quartermaster's supply room, a troop room, an orderly room, several officers' rooms, and a six-car garage. Its design is extremely simple, the exterior walls being red face brick with parapet coping, sills, and trim of stone. It was completed in June 1938 at a construction cost of...

The Works Progress Administration constructed a building the National Guard Armory in Live Oaks FL.

Originally built and used as an armory for the National Guard, the building hosted the first wave of eight hundred Lodians of Japanese descent on May 18, 1943, who assembled there for the bus trip to the Stockton Fairgrounds Assembly Center before going to Rohwer War Relocation Camp in Arkansas. During and after the Second World War, the National Guard used the Armory for training and storing equipment. In 2002, the City of Lodi leased it for five years, with the intention of using it for recreation. In 2009, an adult women's dodgeball league began to play there while the...