- City:
- Los Angeles, 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
George Washington Preparatory High School, which opened in 1927, 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 Shaina Potts on May 27, 2010.
Additional contributions by Natalie McDonald.
At this Location:
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- George Washington Preparatory High School: Miller Frescoes – Los Angeles CA
- George Washington Preparatory High School: Everett Sculpture – Los Angeles CA
- George Washington Preparatory High School: Lundeberg Mural – Los Angeles CA
- George Washington Preparatory High School: Everett Sculpture - Los Angeles CA
View all sites at George Washington Preparatory High School – Los Angeles CA (6 Sites)
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I graduated Washington in June of 1958! I have so many fond memories (at 75, many are fading), my first car, first “real” girl friend, my first prom, and so many others. Just thought you might want to know.
I graduated in 1988 George Mc Kenna last year as principle. Best School Ever!
I’m alumni of Washington, c/o 77. I have such great memories with my classmates. My district high school was Locke High, but I am so glad I attended Washington and part of the General Nation. It’s been 44 years and c/o 77, we still keep in touch.
Did the actress Esther Williams attend Washington high and did Marsha McDonald the artist attend Washington hi?
Yes, Esther Williams attended GWHS, many years before I attended. I was there 1945 through 1947.