• Vander Veer Park - Davenport IA
    "During the 1930s, the Civil Works Administration crews altered the plan of Vander Veer Park by removing corner entrances at Brady and Lombard, and at Harrison and Lombard."
  • Vargas Stadium - Winslow AZ
    "Fans still fill the wooden benches of Vargas Stadium to watch baseball games on the community athletic field. The clubhouse and the stadium were constructed in 1937 and funded by the WPA."
  • Vashon Community Center - St. Louis MO
    Along with Tandy, Gamble, and Carver House recreation centers, Vashon Community Center was constructed as one of four community recreation centers to served the African-American population in St. Louis. Vashon Community Center served the population living in the Mill Creek area of St. Louis, MO which was a mixed use area with manufacturing and housing. Although it was built in 1936, it was not finished until 1937, a delay of 8 months which caused a great deal of controversy and claims of indifference by the city government towards the population. When completed, however it quickly became a center of the...
  • Veedersburg Scout Cabin - Veedersburg IN
    The Veedersburg Scout Cabin is a community building constructed by the Works Progress Administration in Veedersburg IN in 1935. Further confirmation of the construction date needed. 
  • Veenker Memorial Golf Course - Ames IA
    "George Veenker Memorial Golf Course is located just two blocks north of the Iowa State campus. The 18-hole course was constructed in 1938 from the design of world renowned golf course architect, Perry Maxwell (re-designer of the seventh and 10th holes at Augusta National Golf Club in 1937. ). The golf course was built with WPA and Athletic Council funds, and cost $122,373."   (wikipedia.org)
  • Venice Beach Pagodas – Los Angeles CA
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed six sets of pergolas—known as "pagodas"—along Ocean Front Walk on Venice Beach (Los Angeles, CA). The pagodas were restored/reconstructed in 2000. The City of Los Angeles' Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk Refurbishment Plan noted that they would "be restored in either wood or recycled wood plastic materials suitable to retain historic character and appearance of the pagodas could also allow for durability and easy, long-term maintenance . The five sets of pagodas that do exist will be fully restored. In reviewing the historic photos for Venice Beach, it is clear that the original design of...
  • Vernon Park Improvements and Slide - Newport RI
    In Newport, Rhode Island "the WPA built sidewalks and most of the stone walls, grandstands, concession buildings and other facilities in Newport’s public parks. Vernon Park, Freebody Park and Cardines Field are the most visible examples." At Vernon Park the WPA built an astounding stone "playground slide, complete with firehouse and chimney," at the park's northeast corner (on Vernon Ave.). It possibly also built the stone walls around the park's tennis courts.
  • Versailles State Park Campground - Versailles IN
    The campground was completed by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) laborers in 1939. The campground consists of a main building, two restrooms, and four drinking fountains.
  • Versailles State Park Group Camp - Versailles IN
    Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) workers completed this camp in 1934. The camp was occupied by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers in 1935. The camp consists of 14 sleeping cabins, a dining hall, restrooms, and a recreation building. The group camp is exceedingly rare, since most CCC living quarters were temporary and were removed after the CCC's departure. Furthermore, the remaining buildings appear to retain a high degree of architectural integrity. The style of the camp structures are classified as parks rustic.
  • Versailles State Park Shelter - Versailles IN
    Works Progress Administration (WPA) laborers completed the shelter, known today as the Oak Grove Shelter, in 1939. The shelter has two wings that are open pavilions. The structure was completed with stone and wood.
  • Vester Wilson Athletic Field - Hamilton MT
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a new baseball field, with grandstand and dugouts, for the people of Hamilton, Montana.  We are not certain of the year, but it was probably in 1935 or 1936. The National Youth Administration (NYA) added a quarter-mile running track and a skating rink to the recreation area, but we did not find those in a visit in 2023. The baseball field is still in active use as "Vester Wilson Athletic Field", home of the Bitterroot Red Sox, often regional and state baseball champions, as painted proudly on the back of the old grandstand.
  • Vesuvio Playground - New York NY
    Originally known simply as the playground at 99 Thompson St., this was one of fourteen new playgrounds throughout New York to open in August, 1934.  The labor and materials for all these playgrounds were provided by "Work Relief funds." Given the timing, Relief funds mentioned most likely came at least partly from the CWA. The Parks Department press release announcing the opening described this playground as containing: "Recreation building, a wading pool in the center of the play area, and usual apparatus for small children including sand tables, see-saws and slides. This is distinctly a playground for small children." At the time, the park...
  • Veterans Field - Wakefield MA
    Construction of Veterans Field was one of dozens of projects undertaken with federal labor at the beginning of the New Deal era during the 1930s. "In 1934, initial plans called for a skating/hockey rink, ball field, tennis court and a general playground, with the work to be performed by the Civil Works Administration (CWA) which later became the ERA, a program designed to 'give relief to needy people through direct work or work relief.' These work projects were later shifted to the Works Projects Administration (WPA). The North Avenue - Church Street project was one of 92 completed projects carried out...
  • Veterans Field - West Springfield MA
    W.P.A. Bulletin, 1937: "he Memorial Athletic Field in the rear of King's Highway School is rapidly nearing completion. Last April the field was rather ugly, idle land. Now there is a quarter-mile cinder track, circling a seeded oval, portable bleachers, a memorial plot of war veterans with flagpole, a driveway from the highway to the field, a football field, a drainage system and a fence enclosing the athletic field."
  • Veterans Memorial Stadium - Pottsville PA
    "In Pottsville, WPA workers built Veterans Memorial Stadium ..."
  • Veterans Memorial Stadium - Quincy MA
    Two plaques at the entrance gate explain the heritage of Veterans Memorial Stadium: Northerly plaque: "This site is part of the grant known as Merrymount Park / Given to the People of Quincy by Charles Francis Adams In the Year 1885 - The Football Field and the Stadium known as Pfaffman Oval was Built at the time when George E. Pfaffman was Chairman of Quincy Park Board." Southerly plaque: "Quincy Municipal Stadium / Dedicated to the Youth of Quincy / As a Memorial to War Veterans / 1937 Erected 1938 - Thomas S. Burgin Mayor - Designed and Constructed under the Direction...
  • Veterans Park - Fulton MO
    Large park that was developed into a municipal park at the end of CCC Company 3731’s tenure in Fulton.  The company had used the land where the park was developed for their quarters, primarily doing agriculture work such as terracing, but when they were to leave, constructed the rock pillars that flank the entrances to  the park, rock seating for the amphitheater, horsheshoe pits(?),  and the roads and walkways throughout the park.  The pond in the park was probably constructed at this time.
  • Veterans Park Improvements - Bayonne NJ
    The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked on a project that involved "resurfacing, grading, and seeding lowlands on 25th St. park." Subsequently the WPA undertook "installing four tennis courts and rock fill and erecting new beauty circle with walks leading to same at Veterans Park." Veterans Park is still in use today; modern facilities include: "spray park, playground, exercise area and parking facilities."
  • Veterans' Memorial Building & Park - Santa Maria CA
    The Veterans' Memorial Building was constructed in 1934-36 with financial aid from the federal Public Works Administration (PWA) and unemployed workers drawn from the State Emergency Relief Administration (SERA), which was funded largely by federal government assistance.   It is a beautiful example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, designed by local architect Rudolph Polley. It features a bell tower, a large auditorium, a serene courtyard and some interior detailing. It is in excellent condition to this day (2019). A park was laid out at the same time across the street, using county funds and probably relief workers, as well. The building (and park) passed...
  • Veterans' Memorial Park - West Warwick RI
    The WPA built these two stone memorials in 1936. Whether they were both originally at this site is unclear, but they are now both on the lawn of the American Legion hall. The listed date is for the smaller of the two monuments.
  • VFW Parkway Improvements - Boston MA
    W.P.A. project description: "Veterans of Foreign Wars, West Roxbury, and Turtle Pond Parkways; the roadsides of these parkways were beautified for their entire lengths by grubbing, grading and seeding. Ten miles, or 176,000 square yards of property was reclaimed."
  • Vicente Playground - San Francisco CA
    Built convenience station and landscaped.--Healy, p. 65.
  • Vicksburg National Military Park - Vicksburg MS
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked to develop Vicksburg National Military park during the 1930s. Among other improvements they planted hundreds of trees and other vegetation in the park to to combat erosion.
  • Vicksburg National Military Park: Park Museum and Headquarters (former) - Vicksburg MS
    The Public Works Administration funded the construction of the Park Museum and Headquarters at the National Military Park inVicksburg MS. the building is currently vacant. "The 1934-35 PWA allotments provided for new combination administration/museum buildings in five eastern parks: Chickamauga and Chattanooga, Guilford Courthouse, Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Morristown." "Predictably, those designed by Service architects without knowledge of museum requirements proved ill-suited to their purpose. The Vicksburg building resembled so well an antebellum plantation mansion that a later superintendent converted it to his residence and packed the museum off to utilitarian frame structure elsewhere in the park."
  • Victor Crowell Park - Middlesex NJ
    The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed what was then known as Willow Park (now Victor Crowell Park) in Middlesex, New Jersey. Work began in December 1935. Among other work, Ambrose Brook was dammed "by a concrete-cored earth fill into a seven-and-a-half acre lake with an average depth of seven feet. A sluice gate was constructed for drainage and flood control." Shrubs and trees were planted, and picnic tables and benches constructed. The WPA installed swing sets as well. Roads on the north and south shores of the lake were paved, and "an attractive stone grotto" was erected "at the entrance...
  • Victory Park Band Shell - Albion MI
    "The story of the band shell begins in 1939.  In August of 1939 the Albion City Council petitioned the Works Progress Administration for a variety of projects including the construction of the band shell for Victory Park totaling $330,000."
  • Victory-Vanowen Park - North Hollywood CA
    The Annual Report from 1932-33 of the Los Angeles Board of Park Commissioners records extensive federal aid in developing the park: "Victory Vanowen Park is one of the largest parks in the San Fernando Valley, with an area of a little over ninety acres. This park is bounded by Whitsett Avenue, Laurel Canyon Boulevard, and Calvert Street. An enormous amount of improvement work was done here with the help of the R.F.C. and County Welfare labor. New roads, a length of 6,110 feet, were constructed, which required the grading of 4,072 cubic yards of dirt, and installing 8,850 feet of redwood...
  • Virgin Lake CCC Camp and Improvements - Three Lakes WI
    The 643rd CCC camp was established at Virgin Lake in 1933 and engaged in extensive reforestation projects in the area.
  • Virginia Avenue Playground Improvements - Washington DC
    The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) and the Civil Works Administration (CWA) funded improvements at the Virginia Avenue Playground in Washington DC. Today, the sire is called Virginia Avenue Park. The work consisted of the following improvements: CWA and FERA, 1933-1934, “Graded, fenced, running track 90 percent complete, old pavilion removed; roof reshingled, electric lights installed.” (Report of the Government of the District of Columbia 1935) FERA, 1934-1935, “Completed running track.” (Report of the Government of the District of Columbia 1936)
  • Virginia Golf Course - Virginia MN
    A report in 1936 states: "Completion of nine-hole course begun three vears ago now under-taken following WPA allotment of $23,940."
  • Virginia Lake Park - Reno NV
    Virginia Lake Park south of Reno was constructed by the WPA in 1936-1938. The park is both a recreational site and serves as a detention reservoir for flood control and irrigation. "Thanks in part to night work crews, the WPA quickly created what became known as Virginia Lake Park south of Reno. The lake was designed for swimming and wading with an average depth of five and a half feet. It was one of many Nevada parks created."   (https://www.newsreview.com)
  • Visitacion Valley Playground - San Francisco CA
    The WPA worked on the Visitacion Valley Playground.
  • Visitor Center - Walnut Canyon National Monument AZ
    Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollees from the Mt. Elden Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp near Flagstaff worked at Walnut Canyon National Monument from 1938 to 1942. They made several improvements to the monument for public recreational use. One was to build the original visitor center at Observation Point from sandstone blocks cut from a nearby quarry.  The visitor center was completely altered during the 1960s by adding a new floor on top of the original building; the new second floor is where visitors' enter today to find information, displays and the tourist shop.  The lower floor is used for offices and...
  • Vista Del Mar Lifeguard Station - Playa Del Ray CA
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed 19 men in work on the station in 1940 totaling 11,560 man hours. Expenditures were $6,752 and $449 for other. The station is currently abandoned.
  • Vogel State Park - Blairsville GA
    "One of Georgia’s oldest and most beloved state parks, Vogel is located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Driving from the south, visitors pass through Neel Gap, a beautiful mountain pass near Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. Vogel is particularly popular during the fall when the Blue Ridge Mountains transform into a rolling blanket of red, yellow and gold leaves. Hikers can choose from a variety of trails, including the popular 4-mile Bear Hair Gap loop, an easy lake loop that leads to Trahlyta Falls, and the challenging 13-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail. Cottages, campsites...
  • Volta Park Recreation Center - Washington DC
    The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the Civil Works Administration (CWA) completed improvements at the Georgetown Playground in Washington DC. Today, the playground is part of the Volta Park Recreation Center. The work consisted of the following improvements: “Graded, topsoil, fenced, 6 gates, remodeled interior of shelter house, new plumbing, wired for electric lights.” (Report of the Government of the District of Columbia 1935) FERA, 1934-1935, “Surfaced two tennis courts.” (Report of the Government of the District of Columbia 1936) WPA, 1935-1936, “2 tennis courts surfaced with clay.” (Report of the Government of the District of Columbia 1936) WPA, 1936-1937, “Constructed pool...
  • Von Hovenberg Olympic Bobsled Run improvements - Lake Placid NY
    "WPA work on this run is plainly visible to thousands of people who view the run under summer skies. The run has been made safer as the result of WPA work. WPA iced the run as required, manned telephone booths along the run, transported Bob-sleds and passengers to the top of the mountain, and repaired and maintained equipment and machinery. Photo shows curves improved by WPA in use."
  • Voorhees State Park - Glen Gardner NJ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a major impact on the development of Voorhees State Park between 1933 and 1941. According to the the New Jersey DEP's Division of Parks and Forestry website: "Voorhees State Park served as a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) , planted trees and constructed shelters, picnic sites and trails throughout the park." "When the CCC boys arrived at Voorhees in 1933, they found three relatively undeveloped parcels of land. The park still reflected Governor Voorhees’ use of the property as a farm including pastures, woodland, barns and an apple orchard. By the time the...
  • W. C. Stripling Middle School Landscaping and Walls - Fort Worth TX
    W. C. Stripling Middle School was originally constructed as W. C. Stripling High School in 1927. In 1933-34, the grounds were landscaped by the Civil Works Administration (CWA), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration FERA), and the Texas Relief Administration. The landscaping was designed by Hare & Hare of Kansas City, MO.   It created a raised and level area on the north side of the school, held in place by a ~5-foot buff sandstone retaining wall (and steps). There are tennis courts above the wall and a football field with running track below.  It is not certain if those were part of...
  • Wachusett Mountain State Reservation Ski Trails - Princeton MA
    From the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area website: “The first skiing trails on Wachusett Mountain were cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930's (Pine Trail 1934; Balance Rock Trail 1937).”