- City:
- Gardena, CA
- Site Type:
- Schools, Education and Health
- New Deal Agencies:
- Public Works Administration (PWA), Public Works Funding
- Started:
- 1934
- Completed:
- 1935
- Quality of Information:
- Moderate
- Marked:
- Unknown
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
Robert E. Peary Middle School (formerly Gardena High School), which opened in 1907 in Gardena, CA, was rebuilt with funding from the Public Works Administration (PWA) between 1934 and 1935.
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 Richard A Walker on May 1, 2010.
Additional contributions by Natalie McDonald.
At this Location:
- Robert E. Peary Middle School: Van Halle Painting - Gardena CA
- Robert E. Peary Middle School: Kende Painting - Gardena CA
- Robert E. Peary Middle School: Yeckley Painting - Gardena CA
- Robert E. Peary Middle School: Zornes Painting - Gardena CA
View all sites at Robert E. Peary Middle School - Gardena CA (5 Sites)
Site Details
Total Cost |
---|
$138,208 |
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Submit More Information or Photographs for this New Deal Site
I went there in the early 70’s. Could you please tell me what the original build date was?
We’ve contacted the school to try to find out more — and to get a contemporary photo! If you have a photo, please send it to us.
R. Walker