Military and Public Safety Sites

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) repaired 69 public buildings in Parkersburg, Wood County. The projects were sponsored jointly by the City of Parkersburg and the Board of Education, and were backed by local organizations. The WPA provided the labor and part of the materials and equipment. The projects included the modernization of schools and city fire stations.

This Classical Revival style public building was constructed with Public Works Administration (PWA) funds as Selma's City Hall. Today, the building is used by the police department, fire department No. 1, and the municipal court.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) developed the former Quabbin Reservoir Precision Bombing and Gunnery Range. The range was used prior to the filling of the reservoir. WPA project details: "New Salem: Range. Construct bombing and ground gunnery range" Official Project Number: 265‐3‐14‐38 Total project cost: $265‐3‐14‐38 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Westover Field, U.S. Army

As part of war efforts, "on 26 February 1941, the FCC received funding to launch the 'Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Service,' the first name for FBIA. The service began its monitoring duties at 316 F Street, NE. On 1 October, FBIS opened its first bureau outside Washington---in a farmhouse at 13005 NE Street in Portland, Oregon---to monitor Japanese broadcasts." (Inside CIA) The federal facility was constructed with Treasury Department funds. "On 17 September 1941 Graves announced that 20 persons were being transferred to Portland to set up a new monitoring station. Included in the 2 were the three Japanese and one...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement work at a (war-oriented) radio monitoring site in Millis, Mass. Radio timeline: "July 27, 1940: The new WBZ transmitter in Hull begins operation. Special programs were broadcast, culminating in a switchover ceremony punctuated by the decay of three atoms of uranium-235, which switched on the new transmitter. The FCC will take over the old Millis site as a monitoring station." WPA project details: "Construct and improve facilities" Official Project Number: 265‐3‐14‐45 Total project cost: $28,152.00 Sponsor: Federal Communications Commission

The two-story jail was completed in 1936 for a total cost of $27,453. Public Works Administration provided a grant of $12,310 and Rankin County provided the remainder through a bond election. The project, W1159, was approved November 14, 1935, and bids advertised in November. Contracts were awarded December 14, 1935. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History documents N. W. Overstreet & A. H. Town as architects. The Jackson Clarion-Ledger (Nov 1, 1936) identified E. L. Malvaney as architect and I. C. Garbor and Sons construction. Construction began March 9, 1936 and was completed September 22, 1936. The jail was...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted millions of dollars (not even adjusted for inflation) of improvement and development work at the former Raritan Arsenal in Edison, New Jersey. Work involved the construction and improvement of facilities and various utilities, including railroad tracks and docks. A cataloguing of these projects was undertaken by the DoD in its Heritage Assessment, cited below.

From contributor Charles Swaney: "Older style National Guard Armory with dual entrances on the front façade which is predominately brick with concrete accents, art deco." The building is not specifically listed as a New Deal project, but dates to the period when the WPA was constructing armories in this area of Kentucky. The building is now the Estill County Youth Center.

The Reading Fire Department EMS Station was built as a New Deal project: the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $33,789 grant for the project, whose total cost was $69,493. A 1939 cornerstone can be found at the northeast corner. The facility was dedicated October 9, 1939. PWA Docket No. PA 2134

The federal Public Works Administration (PWA) aided in the financing of the construction of a firehouse in Redding, California. The exact location of the firehouse is presently unknown to Living New Deal.

From the Redlands history page: "Built during the WPA depression days, the building has been designated as the future location of the Redlands Historical Museum. Replacing the original Richardsonian masterpiece that mysteriously burned in 1939, this civic style building with classic elements and artnouveau bas reliefs, contains multiple styles, as if it was built by committee...it was!" This building now serves as the Administrative Offices for the Redlands Police Department. The new city hall is located directly across the street.

"Allen Field was a small 410-acre civilian airport built in 1927 on a portion of the expanded section of Terminal Island. Terminal Island is a sand-filled island located adjacent to the port of Los Angeles and expanding between the harbors of San Pedro and Long Beach... The U.S. Navy began its use of Allen Field almost from the very beginning. In 1927 a Naval Air Reserve Training Facility was established there. With the U.S. Naval Reserve Training Camp located across the harbor at the Submarine Base in San Pedro, it was an ideal location. With its large seaplane ramp, the airfield...

In 1935 F.E.R.A. and W.P.A. labor conducted the following improvement work at what was then known as the Reformatory (now Massachusetts Correctional Institution), in Framingham, Mass.: Roads and walks were constructed and grading done at the Reformatory Mother's Cottage and Junior Inmates' Home. Also, a clothes drying yard was graded and built. Maple floors were relaid in the corridors of the main buildings. The W.P.A. constructed facilities and conducted beautification work on the grounds as well.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed the Remount Area Headquarters at Fort Mackenzie outside Sheridan, Wyoming—now the Sheridan VA Medical Center. The status and location of the facility is unknown to Living New Deal. WPA Project No. 265-3-83-19. Cost: $75,793. Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Mackenzie, U.S. Army.

The Renton History Museum is housed in a former fire station built by the WPA between 1941 and 1942.

The historic Renville County Courthouse in Mohall, North Dakota was built starting in April 1936 and dedicated on June 25, 1937. Its construction was enabled by a $51,650 grant provided by the federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The Moderne building, which was also built as a jail, is still in service. Construction is sometimes mis-attributed to the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. PWA Docket No. ND 1027.

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at Rice Wharf 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

From contributor Charles Swaney: "Atypical National Guard Armory, which from the front façade is wider than usual, and which has predominant horizontal concrete bands across the 2nd story.  The roof is flat. A basement is accessed from the rear." The building is now the Richmond Recreation Center.

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair work at the Richmond Penitentiary in the vicinity of Christiansted. The repair work included roof repairs after fire-related damage. Today, the facilities are vacant and in an advanced state of disrepair.

CCC Company 1915 "built the Marines an excellent rifle range" in the town or vicinity of Hawthorne, Nevada. The exact location or status of this facility is unknown to Living New Deal, though it is likely that the facility was related to other construction projects at the old Naval Ammunition Depot.

"Rochester National Defense Cont., Inc., 50-acre semi-military range at West Rush, reached via State 2A to Rush, West Rush Road to Golah; a 600-yd. range, suitable for large and small bore rifle, pistol, and trap shooting. Members only. Grant has been made by WPA for enlarging facilities." The present status of this old facility is unknown to Living New Deal.

Excerpt from the National Archives and Records Administration, Neg. 17975-D: "Rikers Island Penitentiary. Description of work done by WPA. Erection of four single family residences; two single family residences; 5400 linear feet chain-like fence. Fence around entire institution, fence around baseball field; one concrete coping wall; piping in tunnel to the new proposed buildings. Erection of new hay and feed barn in wagon sheds on Riker's Island. Project No. 665-97-3-22. Social rehabilitation of Prison Inmates, Department of Correction, 2 Rikers Island."   Excerpt from the (1939) WPA Guide to New York City, Federal Writers Project: “The island is now entirely given over to the city's...

"By the early 1930's, it was evident that we were outgrowing our original fire house with swing out doors. In the mid 1930's plans were drawn up and approved to build a new firehouse in Riverdale. This new structure was built in 1937 using federal public works funds and was designed to house the fire apparatus of the time, plus a town meeting hall was incorporated into the plan for the second floor over the firehouse. During subsquent years it has been necessary to build several additions onto the existing firehouse."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed the gorgeous (original) Community Building at Riverside Park in Iola, Kansas. It is now known as the Iola Recreation Center & Little Theatre. GetRuralKansas.com: "The community building was built by the WPA program for the national guard armory. By 1941, it was changed to a basketball court and a small theater which was used by the school system for many years, as well as clubs, organizations and citizens of the community. After the school district built their own gymnasium, the community building is being used for indoor exercising, pick up basketball, and an area that's available for...

Youth employed by the National Youth Administration carried out work for a road fronting the Losey Airfield (today's Fort Allen Airport). "One of the important defense projects in puerto Rico is the construction of a military road fronting Losey Field. NYA boys quarry the stone, cart it by wheel-barrow and truck, lay it and aid in tar finishing; they also did preliminary excavation and ditch digging. The road is now almost completed. For its construction the boys have cut away and moved half a hill of stone."

The Robert LaFleur Airport is a small general aviation airport in Waterville. It was originally opened in 1931. A 2011 history of the airport explains the federal involvement in its development. In a 1933 town report, Mayor Thayer explains that: "In order to secure improvement for the airport— a very desirable improvement for the community—the City has entered into an agreement of lease, with option to purchase, with the owners of the airport, this condition being precedent to any activity by the Civil Works Administration. This contract will not involve any expense to the City of Waterville but will result in...

Located behind the Roberts County Courthouse, Sisseton South Dakota's former Roberts County Jail was constructed during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $11,200 grant; the total cost of the project was $42,800. Construction occurred between January and July 1934. (PWA Docket No. SD 2370)

Construction of the Roosevelt County Courthouse and Jail was undertaken as a New Deal project during the Great Depression. Sometimes mis-attributed to the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.), the building was actually a Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project. The P.W.A. supplied an $89,173 grant for the building's construction; total cost of the project was $197,381. Construction occurred between 1937 and 1938/9. P.W.A. Docket No. N.M. 1024-D.S.

The Rowan County Jail and Superintendent's Office was completed in 1938 with funding from the WPA. Both the jail and the supt office are constructed of local rock.  The jail has crenellations decorating the top giving the appearance of a formidable castle. The superintendent's office now houses a museum.

The National Youth Administration constructed the building that houses the Runnels County Sheriff's Office between 1941 and 1942.

The Works Progress Administration built an addition for the Rutland Fire Department in Rutland, Rutland County. The addition housed a recreation room, dormitories, a kitchen and a library.

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers dramatically improved the old Salem Armory, now National Park Service Regional Visitor Center, in Salem, Mass. WPA Bulletin: WPA workers are changing the Salem armory from a drab, neglected structure to a modern, well-kept building. A lighting system comparable with that of the Boston Garden has been installed. The building has been painted and the obsolete, dust-covered gas fixtures have been removed. A ramp will be constructed to allow motorized equipment to enter the building. There will also be a new roof on the boiler house, showers on the second floor and modernization of the lavatories. A DoD Historic...

From the archive photo descriptions of this WPA built station: "The fire station was a new construction project, building forms, placing reinforced steel and pouring concrete. The ground floor of the building measures 50x85 feet. The main part of the building is 34 feet high with a tower rising to 70 feet. This is a two-company station with one hose truck and one hook and ladder truck. Dormitory accommodations provide for eight firemen."

Rehabilitated County Jail.--Healy, p. 72. General rehabilitation of building with additional rooms on roof. Completion of unfinished work by S.E.R.A.--Mooser, p. 85. This Hall of Justice was built in 1912 and rehabilitated by the WPA in the 1930s. However, the building was demolished in 1968 and replaced in 1971, along with the neighboring coroner's office, with what is now the Hilton San Francisco Financial District.

Constructed by the WPA.

Between 1935 and 1939, WPA crews conducted historic restoration and renovation work at this site, Casa-Torre de Ponce de León, built in 1521 for the notoriously brutal conquistador who died before ever occupying the residence. It is better known as Casa Blanca, or "White House." WPA work included roof repairs, installation of lighting, and creation of a garden. It now houses a museum with information about early colonial life on the island.  

WPA crews conducted extensive renovation and restoration work at this 18th century Spanish fort, including repair of the fortress walls, and cleaning, repairing, and lighting tunnels under the fortress, in order to facilitate tourism.  

Between 1935 and 1939, WPA crews conducted extensive historic restoration and renovation work, including restoration of the fortress walls, at this site, a 16th century fort later used as a military site during WWII.

"In 1936 the Works Progress Administration provided funds for the construction of jail designed by Albert Roller at 705 Front Street, at a cost of $190,000 and built to hold 68 men and 8 women. As completion of construction neared the jail population was "dropping away so fast the sheriff and aides are fearful there will not be enough left to make a creditable showing by the time the building is accepted" causing the Sheriff to consider staging a round-up in the "jungles," private bingo parties, or drafting prominent citizens to stand in for prospective prisoners to make for a...

The building was retrofitted and remodeled in 2001, but most of the original structure and appearance was preserved.