Abilene Stadium – Abilene KS

Abilene Stadium, part of Eisenhower Park, was constructed by the Works Progress Administation (WPA). WPA Project 4711.

Al Kreuger Field (former) – Perham MN

Al Krueger Field, located at the EOT County Fairgrounds in Perham, Minnesota, was originally constructed as a federal Works Progress Administration project during the Great Depression. The original structure was torn down in 2012 and replaced; the site is now… read more

Alamo Stadium – San Antonio TX

San Antonio’s historic Alamo Stadium was constructed at/near the site of an abandoned rock quarry by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1938-40. The facility was dedicated September 20, 1940. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places… read more

American Legion Memorial Stadium – Charlotte NC

The 17,000-seat stadium was built in the Elizabeth community of Charlotte in 1936. The stadium recently underwent a renovation following structural issues and had its capacity reduced following the removal of the east end stands, and a downsizing of the… read more

Appalachian State University: Stadium (demolished) – Boone NC

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) constructed a stadium and athletic field at what was then known as Appalachian State Teachers College (A.S.T.C.). Work was completed in 1939. Per The News and Observer, the college has “a class one field on… read more

Ashford University Field – Clinton IA

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.

Athletic Field – Gorman TX

The Works Progress Administration built an athletic field in Gorman TX. A rock masonry fence with concrete coping encloses the athletic field. The fence is 8′-4″ tall and 12″ wide. The rock entrance and ticket booths with the plaque are… read more

Athletic Field and Stadium – East Central University, Ada OK

“On the far east side of the East Central University campus is a football stadium constructed by the WPA during the period 1936-1941. The stadium is rectangular, 199 ft by 56 ft. and constructed of poured concrete, with an exterior… read more

Avalon Park – Chicago IL

Avalon Park was one of the last projects of the WPA that was approved by Harry Hopkins and Controller General J.R. McCarl in 1935 and was an example during the Great Depression of how the government was interested in giving… read more

Banks High School Athletic Fields – Banks OR

“During the Great Depression the Works Progress Administration paid for work on the school’s athletic fields, with the project completed in 1936.”   (wikipedia.org)

Banneker Recreation Center Development – Washington DC

During the 1930s, Banneker Recreation Area was developed as part of a larger Capital Parks improvement program undertaken by the Public Works Administration (PWA), Civil Work Adminstration (CWA), Works Progress Administration (WPA), and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Notably, the CWA was… read more

Baseball Park – Rock Valley IA

The Rock Valley Baseball Park was built in 1937, and the Works Progress Administration built the grandstand several years later. 

Baseball Stadium – Pittsburg KS

“Concrete bleachers have a concrete shed roof structure supported on steel beams. Brick walls with a concrete cap surround the ball field on the north, east and west, with an entrance at the NE corner. A chain link fence encloses… read more

Bauerle Field Improvements – Paterson NJ

The federal National Youth Administration (NYA) worked to improve the stadium for Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey in 1938. The NYA “weeded, rolled and marked the stadium track; prepared the broad jump pit; laid out the course of… read more

Blaine Stadium and Fieldhouse – Ponca City OK

The Works Progress Administration built the Blaine Stadium and Fieldhouse in Ponca City OK in 1936-1937. The stadium is built with rusticated stone. It is still used by Ponca City High School football. It was placed on the National Register… read more

Bleecker Stadium – Albany NY

The Federal Writers’ Project’s guide to New York State explained: “Bleecker Stadium, Clinton Ave. between Swinburne Park and Ontario St., with a field house of Georgian Colonial design, was built by the WPA. It seats 10,000 and has two baseball… read more

Bloomfield High School Grandstands – Bloomfield NJ

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) constructed “concrete stands” at Bloomington High School in New Jersey, 1934. The location and status of the project is presently unknown to Living New Deal.

Borger High School Stadium (former) Improvements – Borger TX

In June 1938 the PWA approved an $8,181 grant toward the construction of Borger High School’s football stadium. However, due to delays in obtaining the grant the stadium had been already built. “The school board undoubtedly will seek to keep… read more

Bowditch Field – Framingham MA

Sometimes referred to as the Union Avenue Athletic Field, “Bowditch Field is the town’s main athletic facility. It is located on Union Avenue midway between Downtown and Framingham Center and was the main athletic facility for the town. It houses… read more

Bowman Gray Stadium – Winston-Salem NC

“Bowman Gray Memorial Stadium was built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project aided by private funds from the Bowman Gray family.”

Boyle Stadium – Stamford CT

The history of Boyle Stadium, which is located behind Stamford High School, is detailed on the school’s website: “Beginning in 1935, federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds helped support the construction behind Stamford High of the [premier] high school stadium… read more

Braithwaite Park – Braithwaite LA

Braithwaite Park is “a 32-acre WPA-built recreation area containing picnic grounds, a bathing beach, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, and a dance pavilion.” The park, with different amenities, is still in use today.

Breese Stevens Field – Madison WI

Breese Stevens Field was constructed as a Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) project.

Brookside Park Improvements – Pasadena CA

“The Brookside Park Improvements, WP 25, WP 5702, WP 5704, WP 6978, WP 7716, WP 8101, WP 9534, WP 9624 and WP 9810, sponsored by the City of Pasadena, comprise a diversified construction program to improve the facilities and beauty… read more

Campbell Stadium – Campbell CA

The stadium was originally constructed by the WPA as part of the Campbell Union High School. The high school ceased operations in the 1970s, but the campus remains largely intact. The stadium and other facilities are now part of the… read more

Capitol Hill High School Stadium – Oklahoma City OK

“The native sandstone wall around the football field is a WPA project. Capitol Hill High School is located at 500 S.W. 36th Street. Built in 1928, it is still in use today. On the west side of the school, the… read more

Capitol Hill Stadium (Webster High School) – Tulsa OK

“Stadiums and field houses became important additions for many school systems. In Oklahoma, competitive sports added quality of life for residents during the Great Depression. Small school districts were especially proud to receive an ‘indoor’ gym. High school stadiums such… read more

Cardines Field – Newport RI

“Cardines Field, “a small urban gem of a ballpark” is a baseball stadium located at 20 America’s Cup Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island. Wikipedia: “Stone and concrete bleachers were built along the third-base line by the Works Progress Administration (WPA)… read more

Carson Park Improvements and Baseball Stadium – Eau Claire WI

"In the early 1930s the success of the Eau Claire Bears, a "farm" team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, encouraged Eau Claire to apply to the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to fund recreational improvements in Carson Park. The centerpiece of… read more

Citrus Bowl Stadium – Orlando FL

“The stadium began life in 1936 as a modest 8,900-person venue, built as part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal program in the Works Progress Administration…The Orlando Citrus Bowl — then named Orlando Stadium — was one of 116,000 buildings… read more

Civic Stadium – Eugene OR

“Civic Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Eugene, Oregon, owned by the Eugene School District. Civic Stadium, the vacant stadium located near East 20th Avenue and Willamette Street,[2] adjacent to South Eugene High School, has a seating capacity of… read more

Clemens Field – Hannibal MO

Clemens Field was constructed after the previous park was destroyed in 1935 and has recently been renovated. It is currently home to the Hannibal Cavemen baseball team.  It has been a minor league park for several teams and has seen… read more

Cougar Stadium (former) – Charleroi PA

Charleroi Stadium, or Cougar Stadium, was built in 1937 as a New Deal project: the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $36,818 grant for the school construction project in Bradford, whose total cost was $84,311. “By any name, it has been… read more

Cranston Field – Cranston RI

A large, vaguely classical styled structure, built by the WPA as Cranston’s main stadium. It was designed by Providence architects and engineers Frank P. Sheldon & Son. It is mainly used for high school athletics, but also occasionally hosts larger… read more

Crump Stadium – Memphis TN

Built by the Works Progress Administration used to hold high school games and major football games, such as Memphis State Tiger games. It was an estimated to hold 28,000 spectators before it downsizes in 2006.

D.C. Armory and East Capitol Street Recreation Area – Washington DC

The DC Armory was paid for by a congressional appropriation (part of the District’s general funding bill for fiscal year 1940), and probably also through local revenue sources such as real estate taxes and parking fees. The DC Municipal Architect’s… read more

Daniels Field – Perry OK

This distinctive stone stadium was built by the WPA in 1939. A 1999 document from the Cherokee Strip Museum describes the stadium’s origins: “This year we are celebrating the 60″ anniversary of Perry Stadium, the home of Daniels Field. Men… read more

David Rodgers Park Improvements – Seattle WA

The Seattle Park Department utilized funds and labor from the Civil Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration, as well as the state-based Washington Emergency Relief Administration, to complete a series of maintenance and improvement projects at David Rodgers Park…. read more

DeBremond Stadium – Roswell NM

“Thanks to Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs, which promised jobs to needy citizen, many facets of modern-day Roswell were born. Workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built several schools, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, a city hall,… read more

Derby Downs – Akron OH

“The first All-American race was held in Dayton in 1934. The following year, the race was moved to Akron because of its central location and hilly terrain. In 1936, Akron civic leaders recognized the need for a permanent track site… read more