- City:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Site Type:
- Schools, Education and Health
- New Deal Agencies:
- Public Works Administration (PWA), Public Works Funding
- Started:
- 1934
- Completed:
- 1935
- Designer:
- Albert Martin
- Quality of Information:
- Moderate
- Marked:
- Unknown
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
Abraham Lincoln High School, which opened in 1878, was rebuilt with funding from the Public Works Administration (PWA) between 1934 and 1935. Architect Albert C. Martin designed the Moderne-style buildings, which feature murals and sculptures likely completed under the auspices of the WPA Federal Art Project (FAP).
In January 1934, the PWA allocated $9,380,000 to the Los Angeles Unified School District for the rehabilitation of schools damaged in the severe 1933 Long Beach earthquake. One hundred and thirty schools would benefit from the system-wide loan and grant, with 2,500 men to be employed in rehabilitation work over 21 months.
Upon receiving news of the PWA allocation, Board of Education member Arthur Eckman told the Los Angeles Times, “I am sure that every member of the board agrees with me in expressing our appreciation of the loan and grant. It was made necessary in that we have been unable to sell our school bonds and the government was our only home.”
The school-rebuilding program was widely praised, with a February 1934 column in the Los Angeles Times arguing, “Of all the Southern California suggestions for the Public Works allocations, the school-rebuilding program is most nearly ideal. Here is centrally located work that needs to be done; work which will furnish a large volume of employment for a considerable period and for which taxpayers will pay without too much grumbling, since they understand the necessity of it.”
Source notes
“Washington Allocation of $9,380,000 Speeds Rebuilding of Quake-Damaged Schools,” Los Angeles Times (1923-1995), January 7, 1934.
“The P.W.A. Program,” Los Angeles Times (1923-1995), February 27, 1934.
"School Project Launched," Los Angeles Times (1923-1995), Apr 10, 1934.
Site originally submitted by Shaina Potts on July 30, 2011.
Additional contributions by Natalie McDonald.
Site Details
| Total Cost |
|---|
| $226,800 |
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Juanita Darsa
Karen
Sylvia Cruz
The building that is labeled Science building is now designed as 500 building which houses the parent center, and Lincoln ESP Magnet School.
Does Lincoln High School have murals in the front hallway that were painted in the 1940s?
My School when I was nine. In 1979
Does anyone have photos or drawings about the original school building that was destroyed by the earthquake? Also, does anyone know if the new building was relocated from the original location? Thank you