“As early as 1924, published accounts of plans for the Appalachian Trail called for it to extend to the summit of Maine’s Katahdin. Later, although some (notably Myron Avery) urged that the Trail continue to Katahdin, the scarcity of existing… read more
The Civilian Conservation Corps completed the final link of the Appalachian Trail in Carrabassett Valley near Sugarloaf Mountain, on August 14, 1937. A plaque near the site reads: “In honor of the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps who, from 1935-1939, contributed greatly… read more
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a camp at Steamboat Creek from 1933 to 1941. It was a US Forest Service camp serving Umpqua National Forest. The enrollees made many improvements along the North Umpqua River, including campgrounds, trails and… read more
“[I]n 1937, the Merced City Council applied for a Works Progress Administration project to construct a new park — a park that would cost about $41,000 total, with the city providing $9,800 and the federal government $30,800. Included in the… read more
The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to develop Aptos Playground in San Francisco during the Great Depression.
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the mile-long Berkeley Aquatic Park on the bay front south of University Avenue in 1935-37. It was created as a water park for water skiing, canoeing, sculling and model yacht racing, and is still used for… read more
The Blue Room is one of the original dining areas in the WPA Aquatic Park Bathhouse building, within the Aquatic Park NHL District. Original drawings refer to this circular room on the eastern side of the second level as “restaurant.”… read more
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is a 114,657-acre, federally protected area at San Antonio Bay on the coast of Texas. The refuge was established by Executive Order 7784 on December 31, 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the Aransas Migratory… read more
“During the Great Depression, the federal government established the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to employ Americans in a series of public construction projects. Almost 19,000 New Yorkers labored on Staten Island. They built sidewalks through wooded areas that were supposed… read more
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) developed a municipal baseball park in Arcata, California, just north of the City Hall. The work was first approved in 1936, finalized in 1937 and then completed in 1938 (WPA funding was greatly reduced in… read more
Arches National Monument was established in 1929 with only 4,500 acres and enlarged dramatically to over 33,000 acres by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1938 (Arches became a National Park in 1971). Some of the first improvements to the monument were made… read more
The site, of about 70 acres, was constructed in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It is listed in the national register of historic places.
“This building of glacial stone and the surrounding 17 acres of fishing ponds and structures are a tribute to natural aesthetics, an idea important to the League who made this building their clubhouse. The Argos Izaak Walton League was established… read more
The Works Progress Administration built the grandstand at the Arizona State Fair grounds in Phoenix. “As the Great Depression deepened and thousands were uprooted and looking for work, numerous fairgrounds were turned into camps for these transients. The Arizona State… read more
There is a record in the National Archives of the Public Works Administration (PWA) funding the construction of a golf course at the Arizona State Teachers College in Tempe (now the Arizona State University). It is unclear what kind of… read more
“The stables, constructed in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), are an important record of the federal relief programs administered on Colorado’s eastern plains during the Great Depression. The stables were one of a series of WPA improvement projects… read more
St. Nicholas Park is a long stretch of park between Harlem and Manhattanville, reaching from 127th St. to 141st St. The park contains two playgrounds. The larger one at 129th St., known as St. Nicholas Playground, opened before the New… read more
The Arlington Heights Recreation Center, which was built between 1936 and 1939, was created through the Works Progress Administration. The idea for the project was first conceived in 1934, but financial support did not become available to start the building… read more
The former armory building in Red Bank, New Jersey was the recipient of WPA improvement efforts: “Improve, renovate, and make alterations at Armory.” WPA Official Project Number: 65‐1‐22‐163 The former armory later served as an equestrian riding hall, and presently houses an ice… read more
Additions to this municipal park, which sits behind the armory, are noted in the Oklahoma Landmarks Database showing a Federal Works Progress Administration appropriation of $6,240. The additions include a performance stage, picnic tables and a fireplace.
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) did extensive improvements at Armstrong State Park, circa 1935-1936. Among other things, WPA relief workers built an amphitheater called The Redwood Forest Theater. The cost of the amphitheater and a community building/park headquarters combined was… read more
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) did extensive improvements at Armstrong State Park, circa 1935-1936. Relief workers built an amphitheater, a community building (including warden’s headquarters), picnic areas with stone stoves and tables built from native redwood, a timber bridge, two… read more
“In 1938, the newly created State Park Commission (which had been formed in 1935) recommended that the State accept a gift of 100 acres of land near Presque Isle. This became Aroostook State Park, the first in the State Park… read more
WPA workers were active in the park from 1934 to 1937 and built several structures during that time, including a triple arch stone bridge, a look-out shelter, an open picnic shelter, and a grave shelter.
The WPA was extensively involved in flood control construction in Arroyo Seco during the 1930s. Excerpts of WPA involvement in that history follow: 1934-35: Trapezoidal channel is constructed in the Central Arroyo from Devils Gate Dam through the Rose Bowl… read more
Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center/Park was developed between 1936 and 1939 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), working with the Oakland Recreation Department. The WPA funded the project for around $60,000 in 1935 (Chronicle 1935). The 16 acre site on Arroyo… read more
"The Artesia Improvement Company donated the land for a city park in 1906. In 1937, the corner pillars and stone walkways to the center of the park were added as a WPA project. Artesia Main Street, a local downtown revitalization… read more
"Artesia is home to several WPA construction projects including the Municipal Hospital, the Old City Hall, the gym on the Artesia Schools campus and the wall around Morris Field. The Hospital is in private hands. The Old City Hall is… read more
Originally the Riverview Stadium and then the Alliant Energy Field. This stadium was built by the WPA in 1935-1937. It still has its WPA plaque.
“The Ashwood School Gymnasium and Auditorium is situated south of Bishopville, South Carolina just off U.S. Highway 15 on Ashwood School Road near Ashwood Lake, all namesakes and products of the rural New Deal resettlement community of ‘Ashwood Plantation.’ The… read more
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was active in Rocky Mountain National Park throughout the New Deal era, 1933-42. Among the other works undertaken by CCC enrollees was the construction of three amphitheaters, at Aspenglen Campground, Moraine Park Museum and Glacier… read more
On May 31, 1938, the Department of Parks announced “that plans were being prepared for the renovation of nine public bath houses transferred to them from the jurisdiction of the Borough President of Manhattan.” The improvements were to be done… read more
On July 2, 1938, the Department of Parks announced the opening of a playground on the site of what is now the Astoria Health Playground: “In Queens, at 14th Street south of 31st Avenue adjacent to the Astoria Health Center,… read more
The Astoria Heights Playground, covering most of the block between 30th Rd., 31st Ave., 45th St. and 46th St., was developed by the Parks Department and the WPA in two stages between 1937 and 1938. In September 1937, a playground… read more
The 56-acre park dates from the early 20th century, but “major improvements in Astoria Park were undertaken by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses and the Works Progress Administration during a hot summer in 1936. The stunning pool complex opened on July… read more
Astoria Park pool opened on July 2, 1936. It was the largest of the eleven WPA pools built throughout the city that year. It was the site of the Olympic swimming and diving trials for the 1936 Olympics, just as Randall’s Island Stadium was… read more
In 1937, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) carried out improvements on Atascadero Lake Park. WPA project cards indicate the following work: “Improve the recreational area at Atascadero Lake near Atascadero, San Luis Obispo Co., by improving earthen dam, and performing… read more
The Works Progress Administration built the Decatur County lake in Decatur County KS, as part of Kansas’ Water Conservation Program.
Kearney State Teachers College was granted almost $10,000.00 in a WPA grant to improve its athletic facilities. The project was planned to be very “inclusive.” It included improving the current football and athletic field at the college, and leveling and… read more
The WPA participated in the building of this athletic field in American Falls. It is unclear where the site pictured is located, but if it is still extant Stebbins Park next to American Falls High School seems to be the… read more