Military and Public Safety Sites

The Light Cruiser USS Brooklyn CL40 was built in the New York Navy Yard (commonly known as the Brooklyn Navy Yard) between 1933 and 1936. It started out as a PWA project, but at the last minute, its funding was redirected toward the construction of another ship at a Massachusetts shipyard. Nevertheless, USS Brooklyn is a member of a new class of cruisers that the PWA funding introduced. Furthermore, since the Brooklyn Navy Yard was heavily staffed by WPA workers, the Brooklyn was likely constructed with New Deal labor. The Brooklyn Navy Yard operated as a Navy facility from 1801 until 1966. It built...

The USS Erie was built in the New York Navy Yard (Brooklyn Navy Yard) between 1934 and 1936. It was funded by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The Brooklyn Navy Yard operated as a Navy facility from 1801 until 1966. It built two warships, USS Brooklyn and USS Erie under the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 (NIRA). NIRA gave president Franklin D. Roosevelt the authority to build ships and an agency, the PWA, to pay for them.

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple substantial projects to improve and develop what had been Brooks Field, a.k.a. Brooks Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Access road to Brooks Field; Project No. 165-1-66-414; Cost: $126,246.00; Sponsor: War Department Make improvements to military reservation; 265-3-66-131; $103,409.00; Commanding Officer, Brooks Field, U.S. Army Improve and rehabilitate buildings, grounds, utilities, and recreational facilities; 765-66-2-12; $40,787.00; Commanding Officer, Brooks Field, U.S. Army Extend runways; 865-XX-2-14; $56,272.00; Commanding Officer, Brooks Field, U.S. Army Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures, and facilities;...

The Brunswick airport was originally built in 1935 by the Maine Emergency Relief Administration, a state division of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration after a survey of airports in the state by Capt. Harry M. Jones with the intention of building a chain of airports in coastal towns, inland towns, and lake resorts. It built 1 NW - SE 1800 x 50 gravel runway and 1 E - W 1800x100 graded runway. Naval Air Station Brunswick was developed and occupied in March 1943, and was first commissioned on April 15, 1943, to train and form-up Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadrons...

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) conducted work at what was then known as Brushy Mountain Prison in Petros, Tennessee.

In 1937, the California Department of Natural Resources sponsored the Works Progress Administration to "Construct warehouse, garage, barracks, and residence; install refrigeration plant, water mains, and sewer facilities; landscape and improve grounds; and perform other appurtenant and incidental work, at and in the City of San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County. All work under this project is in connection with the construction and development of buildings and facilities to be used solely in the prosecution of the normal functions of the State Forestry Division, Department of Natural Resources. In addition to projects specifically approved. State owned property." WPA...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built an administration and residence building for the fire-fighting arm of the California Division of Forestry in Humboldt County in 1941.  This is now a unit of Cal-Fire, the statewide forest and wildfire agency. The four or five building complex appears to have been constructed all at the same time and in the same style.  It is not clear if the WPA work went beyond a single building or the Division of Forestry added the rest of the structures.

Under project number 5517, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) graded and improved a national guard airfield on the site of Griffith Park where the zoo and Autry Museum are currently. $28,491 was spent by the federal government with $7,489 by the local sponsor. Total was $35,980. It employed 40 men on average for 8 months. Built in the mid 20's as the Griffith Park Aerodrome, the National Guard Air Service's 40th Air Corps Division (115th Observation Squadron) established a base & laid 2 runways: 3,600' northwest/southeast & 2,975' oil & gravel north/south strips. Training missions were flown from Griffith Park until...

A historic marker attributes the construction of the California National Guard Armory in San Jose to the Works Progress Administration (WPA). However, given as the WPA was not established until 1935, it is possible that this project was constructed by the Civil Works Administration (CWA). Plaque: "Built in 1933, the California National Guard Armory was funded by the U.S. Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Depression. This structure reflects a Spanish architectural style and is one of the few known WPA structures remaining in downtown San Jose. Originally constructed to consolidate National Guard Units from the South Bay Area, the Armory is...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to renovate the old Municipal Building in Pennsauken, New Jersey in 1936. The project was completed with no direct expense to local taxpayers. The exact location of the old building is unknown to Living New Deal; it was demolished in 1986.

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Camp Ashland in Ashland, Nebraska. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Construct new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and improve existing buildings, facilities, and grounds; Project No. 165-1-81-165; Cost: $435,967.00; Sponsor: Nebraska National Guard Improve facilities; 65-1-81-2147; $3,704.00; Nebraska National Guard Improve facilities; 65-1-81-21X7; $28,271.00; Nebraska National Guard Construct new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and improve existing buildings, facilities, and grounds; 165-1-81-165; $182,270.00; War Department Construct concrete boxing stadium; 165-81-3011; $9,260.00; Nebraska National Guard Improve facilities; 65-1-81-2167; $41,932.00; War Department...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop the former Camp Barkeley in Abilene, Texas. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Improve military reservation; Project No. 265-2-66-153; Cost: $36,858.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Camp Barkeley, U.S. Army Extension of Abilene water mains to Camp Berkeley; 665-66-2-667; $22,300.00; War Department Access road to Camp Berkeley; 65-1-66-410; $320,535.00; War Department 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 major projects to improve and develop Camp Blanding, a.k.a. Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, east-northeast of Starke, Florida. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Construct National Guard Camp Albert H. Blanding; Project No. 165-1-35-90; Cost: $181,335.00; Sponsor: Military Department, State of Florida Construct camp and improve grounds; 65-1-35-2355; $224,392.00; Military Department, State of Florida Access road to Camp Blanding; 65-1-35-2423; $221,442.00; War Department Construct facilities; 165-3-35-198; $4,565,430.00; Commanding Officer, Camp Blanding, U.S. Army Construct facilities, roads, streets, and fences; 265-3-35-17; $619,723.00; Commanding Officer, Camp Blanding, U.S. Army...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Camp Bullis near San Antonio, Texas. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Construct ordnance magazines; Project No. 165-3-66-438; Cost: $21,390.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Sam Houston, U.S. Army Improve and increase rifle range facilities; 165-3-66-456; $20,284.00; Commanding General, 8th Corps Area, U.S. Army Make improvements to military reservations; 165-2-66-497; $782,803.00; Commanding General, 8th Corps Area, U.S. Army Access road to Camp Bullis; 165-1-66-414; $288,260.00; War Department Roads; 765-66-1-1; $49,437.00; War Department The location and status of the facilities in question requires more...

Illinois's old Camp Butler was improved as part of Federal Project F-87 by the federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) ca. 1933-4. "The general scope of the project covered improvements to buildings and grounds, landscaping, drainage and minor construction."

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop what was then Camp Chaffee near Fort Smith, Arkansas. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Eradicate insect pests; Project No. 265-2-63-118; Cost: $35,839.00; Sponsor: Commanding General, 7th Corps Area, U.S. Army Complete the construction of a National Guard Armory building and improve surrounding grounds; 165-1-63-129; $2,364.00; Arkansas State Military Department Improve National Cemetery; 165-3-63-81; $19,599.00; Commanding General, 7th Corps Area, U.S. Army Make improvements to buildings, facilities and utilities, and improve grounds; 265-2-63-121; $50,750.00; Commanding Officer, Camp Chaffee, U.S. Army Construct sidewalks;...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built ammunition magazine and made ground improvements to the Camp Conley in Point Pleasant WV. "In 1940, the Works Progress Administration built a new ammunition magazine, modernized the buildings and grounds, and constructed tent floors. " (McDaniel, "Camp Conley") It is possible that this is the site of the 1957 armory at Ohio River Road and University Lane. True extant is unknown.  

The Works Progress Administration completed drainage system improvements at Camp Conley in Point Pleasant WV. Construction began on the camp in 1927. Named for Wiliam Gustavson Conley (1929–33) in 1929. The state police used the camp to train in 1928 and 1935. In 1935, the guard applied to the WPA for drainage improvements. The camp was used twice by Governor Homer Holt as a refugee camp there for 1933 and 1937 flood victims. The Camp Conley appears in the property maps in a subdivision of housing dating to the 1940s to 1950s. The site appears no longer extant.

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Camp Croft outside Spartanburg, South Carolina. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Make improvements to eliminate mosquito breeding areas; Project No. 265-2-33-122; Cost: $147,266.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Camp Croft, U.S. Army Improve grounds; 265-2-33-83; $539,885.00; Commanding Officer, Camp Croft, U.S. Army Construct sidewalks and drives; 265-3-33-30; $96,614.00; Commanding Officer, Camp Croft, U.S. Army Landscape grounds; 465-33-2-172; $2,200.00; State of South Carolina Improve target range and other facilities; 165-2-33-203; $193,964.00; Commanding Officer Camp Croft U.S. Army Improve roads; 265-2-33-13; $143,680.00; Commanding Officer, Camp...

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) developed Camp Crowder outside Neosho, Missouri. One massive allocation was noted in a DoD report: Project description: Make general improvements; Project No. 265-2-55-109; Cost: $1,136,571.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Camp Crowder, U.S. Army

The Works Progress Administration completed upgrades to the drainage systems at Camp Dawson in Kingwood WV. Guard. Camp Dawson was established in 1909 when almost 200 acres were acquired along the Cheat River, just south of Kingwood in Preston County. Fell into disuse ca. WWI to ca 1928. In 1928 when it was revived as a training site for the West Virginia State Militia.  

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Improvements at Camp Dodge; Project No. 65-72-2573; Sponsor: Construct fence; 65-72-442; Build stone piers, fence, and grade and level ground; 165-72-8026; $19,610.00; Iowa National Guard Make general improvements; 65-1-72-146; $418,773.00; State of Iowa, National Guard Mapping of Camp Dodge; 65-72-4223; Install electrical and water lines and septic tank, construct roads, and grade and landscape grounds; 465-72-2-103; $4,291.00; Iowa National Guard Iowa National Guard Build stone piers and install fence; 465-72-2-109; $5,800.00;...

"Between 1935 and 1940, Massachusetts and the federal government, primarily using Works Project Administration funds, constructed 63 buildings (all but Buildings 102 and the old Williams Hospital have since been demolished) and two, 500-foot (150 m) wide turf runways at Otis Field. The project was the largest WPA project in state history, employing over 600 workmen. In 1938, Governor Charles F. Hurley dedicated Camp Edwards, named after the former commander of the 26th Infantry Division, Major General Clarence Edwards." (Wikipedia) WPA Bulletin: The Bourne WPA Notional Guard Camp Project is the largest undertaking of this kind in the country. It is twenty-three square...

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted extensive construction and development work at what was Camp George West, now a historic district, outside Golden, Colorado. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Construct and improve buildings and facilities; Project No. 165-1-84-113; Cost: $73,552.00; Sponsor: Colorado State Military Department Construct bridges, tables, benches, roads, garbage racks, and desks; construct water storage facilities, paint; connect ranges, refrigerators, and hot water heaters at Camp George West; 165-1-84-217; $78,276.00; Colorado State Military Department Construct garage; 165-1-84-87; $39,933.00; Colorado State Military Department Improve camp facilities; 65-1-84-2220; $27,769.00; Colorado State Military Department Make...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to develop Camp Grafton near Devils Lake, North Dakota. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Camp Grafton, Project No. 465-73-2-126, Cost: $141,664.00, Sponsor: North Dakota National Guard Construct and improve facilities at Camp Grafton, 65-1-73-2214, 80,651.00, War Department

Illinois's old Camp Grant was improved as part of Federal Project F-88 by the federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) ca. 1933-4. The work involved "the rehabilitation of the target range, repairs to the road leading to the target range and general repairs, painting and plumbing, to the buildings on the 3200-acre military reservation known as Camp Grant, near Rockford. This project carried a quota of 66 workmen."

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted the following work at the former Camp Hartell: "Construct training facilities and improve grounds". Official Project Number: 265‐3‐15‐70 Total project cost: $54,689.00 Sponsor: U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Camp Hulen near Palacios, Texas. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Access road to Camp Hulen Firing Range; Project No. 65-1-66-451; Cost: $168,499.00; Sponsor: War Department Access road to Camp Hulen; 165-1-66-245; $42,328.00; War Department Construct and improve buildings, facilities, and grounds; 165-1-66-72; $66,045.00; Adjutant General's Department, State of Texas Improve airport; 165-2-66-515; $123,837.00; Commanding Officer, Camp Hulen, U.S. Army Make improvements to military reservation; 265-3-66-111; $200,955.00; Commanding Officer, Camp Hulen, U.S. Army The location and status of the facilities in question requires...

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) developed the national guard camp at Camp Keyes in Augusta, Maine. Project information: “Develop National Guard Camp” Official Project Number: 165‐1‐11‐54 Total project cost: $16,383.00 Sponsor: War Department

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) undertook development work at an unidentified location in or near New Brunswick, New Jersey. As two projects were sponsored by the War Department, Living New Deal believes these projects to be involved with the development of Camp Kilmer, an installation that straddled Piscataway and Edison, within two miles of New Brunswick. Rutgers University's Livingston Campus resides on part of the old Camp Kilmer site. WPA Official Project Numbers: 713‐2‐128 ("Improve and rehabilitate buildings, systems, and facilities"), and 13‐2‐22‐92 ("Repair and rehabilitation of building)

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple construction and development projects at the former Camp Luna outside Las Vegas, New Mexico—now the site of Luna Community College. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Construct and improve buildings and facilities, and improve grounds; Project No. 165-1-85-127; Cost: $93,932.00; Sponsor: New Mexico National Guard Remodel existing building for use as arsenal; 165-1-85-46; $5,661.00; New Mexico National Guard Extend facilities and construct bath and powder houses; 165-1-85-78; $45,101.00; New Mexico National Guard Improve Camp Luna, including erecting fences, installing cattle guards and culverts, and performing incidental work thereto;...

Camp Mabry, named after Brigadier General Woodford H. Mabry, the Adjutant General of Texas from January 23, 1891 to May 4, 1898, is the headquarters of the Texas Military Forces. The original 90 acres was donated to the State of Texas in 1892. The first construction at the camp included a mess shed and a parade grandstand. By 1911, Camp Mabry had expanded to more than 385 acres. During World War I the United States Army used the camp as a training site and built several barracks and administration buildings. Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects under the sponsorship of the Adjutant...

The WPA was involved in constructing facilities and improving the grounds at Camp McQuaide after it moved south from its former Capitola location. "In 1926, the 63rd coastal artillery regiment moved from Santa Cruz, California, to an area just east of the town of Capitola. Its camp was named for Major Joseph P. McQuaide, who was born in 1867 and graduated from Santa Clara University. He served as Chaplain of the California National Guard in the Spanish American War and World War I, and died March 29, 1924. By 1938, noise from target practice annoyed Capitola residents, so a more remote...

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted the following work at buildings at the facility later known as Camp Rell and now Camp Niantic: "Paint, shingle roof, and repair windows". Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2095 Total project cost: $4,984.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple and extensive projects to improve and develop Camp Perry in Erie Township near Port Clinton, Ohio. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Improve buildings and facilities; Project No. 165-1-42-174; Cost: $339,794.00; Sponsor: Adjutant General's Department, State of Ohio Make improvements at Army Induction Center; 265-2-42-84; $78,279.00; Commanding Officer, Camp Perry, U.S. Army Construct, rehabilitate, and improve buildings, structures, and facilities; 113-3-42-XX; $15,470.00; War Department Repair and rehabilitation of buildings; 13-2-42-104; $6,950.00; War Department Construct temporary barracks, roads, and utilities; 13-3-42-139; $393,050.00; War Department Construct concrete tent floors; 165-42-5107; $15,180.00; Adjutant General's Department, State...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted extensive development work at the national guard camp by Rapid City, South Dakota (Camp Rapid). "One of the most significant WPA projects in Rapid City was Camp Rapid. Construction of permanent buildings began on June 25, 1934 and one year later, Executive Order 7034 allowed the WPA to begin hiring men to take part in the construction of the headquarters building. James C. Ewing, an architect from Rapid City, designed the brick and reinforced concrete Administration Building and Project 956 began in 1936 and was completed by the end of the year. The original buildings...

The Works Progress Administration / Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted extensive construction and development work at what was then known as Camp Clatsop (now Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center) on the coast of Oregon. Per a DoD survey, the WPA did the following: Description: Repair and rehabilitate buildings; Project No. 13-2-90-105; Cost: $30,000.00; Sponsor: War Department Make general improvements to buildings, utilities, grounds, and facilities; 565-94-2-200; $293,257.00; Oregon National Guard Improve buildings and facilities; 65-1-94-2128; $154,278.00; War Department Make general improvements at Camp Clatsop; 165-1-94-129; $210,353.00; Oregon National Guard Make general improvements to buildings, utilities, facilities, and grounds, including the construction of...

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) conducted multiple projects to improve and develop Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Arkansas. Per a Department of Defense (DoD) survey, the WPA did the following: Make improvements to the swimming pool; Project No. 165-2-63-333; Cost: $2,981.00; Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Camp Joseph T. Robinson, U.S. Army Construct National Guard offices; 65-63-562; $16,885.00; Improve buildings and facilities; 7X5-XX-X-4; $2,727.00; Commanding Officer, 7th Corps Area The location and status of the facilities in question requires more research / is not known to Living New Deal.

Multiple Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects were conducted to improve and develop Camp San Luis Obispo, a National Guard Training camp (formerly Camp Merriam, originally constructed in 1928). WPA Proj. No. 165-3-2634, September 17, 1936, Total sponsor and Federal funds $4,494, Months to Complete 5, Average Employed 29, "National Guard Training Camp. Move and reset frame structure, construct new footing at National Guard Training camp near San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County. State owned property." WPA Proj. No. 165-3-3528, October 5, 1936, Total sponsor and federal funds $19,892, Months to complete 22, Average Employed 90, "Construct an open air theater including...

The former Camp Simms in the city's southeastern quadrant housed the DC National Guard rifle range prior to World War II.  In 1936, Work: A Journal of Progress reported extensive Works Progress Administration (WPA) improvements to Camp Simms: "Transformation of the National Guard Rifle Range at Camp Sims, from an ill-equipped, obsolete military adjunct into a model rifle range, is one of the many accomplishments of relief labor under the Works Progress Administration in the District of Columbia. One of the first tasks undertaken by WPA labor at Camp Sims was that of raising the level of practically the whole site. Coincident...