Start Year: 1937

In 1851, Dr. John McLoughlin formally platted Oregon City reserving land along the city's prominent bluff for use as a park and naming that public amenity the Promenade. For decades, the Promenade's minimally improved walkway provided a view of the city's downtown, nearby neighborhoods, and rivers. That changed in 1936 when plans were made to improve the Promenade using skilled and unskilled Works Progress Administration workers. The plans involved three related projects: a stone and concrete pathway, the Grand Staircase, and Singer Falls. John L. Franzen, Oregon City's city manager and a registered engineer, designed all three integrated projects. The stone and...

The Alley Dwelling Authority (ADA) funded the construction of Jefferson Terrace in Washington, DC between 1937 and 1938. Jefferson Terrace consisted of 16 homes. Jefferson Terrace was described as being in the square bounded by I, K, 6th, and 7th streets southwest. However, it appears that square no longer exists, with K Street SW perhaps being shortened at some point to make room for a newly developed area bounded by I Street, Maine Avenue, and 6th & 7th streets. Additionally, the DC Housing Authority does not list Jefferson Terrace as one of their currently-managed properties, and Google satellite imagery does not show...

Public Works Administration (PWA) project W1178 constructed the Faculty House (now used as the Girls Honor Dormitory), and the Chapel Building (now known as J. M. Ewing Administration Building), for Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, known locally as Co-Lin. A $36,000 grant toward total expenditures of $80,000 were approved 11/17/1936. Construction by the I. C. Garber and Son company began 2/15/1937. Architects for the project were Hull and Drummond. Construction was completed 10/14/1937. The Faculty House was first unit in the $80,000 building program for the college. Copiah and Lincoln Counties each appropriated $22,500 toward the cost. Members of faculty began moving in...

Public Works Administration (PWA) project W1178 constructed the Chapel Building (now known as J. M. Ewing Administration Building) and the Faculty House (now used as the Girls Honor Dormitory) for Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, known locally as Co-Lin. A $36,000 grant toward total expenditures of $80,000 were approved 11/17/1936. Construction by the I. C. Garber and Son company began 2/15/1937. Architects for the project were Hull and Drummond. Construction was completed 10/14/1937. The Faculty House was first unit in the $80,000 building program for the college. Copiah and Lincoln Counties each appropriated $22,500 toward the cost. Members of faculty began moving in...

The B. and P.W. Club of Oxford, the National Youth Administration and local citizens funded the construction of a community house for the use of Lafayette County. Home Demonstration clubs solicited funds from county communities to assist. The house was proposed to be located on North Lamar street, one block north of the courthouse. W. P. 5160 #896 for Oxford Community House, Lafayette County was constructed of 8 inch stone veneer laid random ashlar. Stone was quarried by NYA and the cypress shingles were cut at the Longview NYA sawmill. It contained a woodwork shop in the basement and was...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) improved a segment of Canal Road, from Chain Bridge Road to Reservoir Road. This was a WPA “roadside beautification” project that likely included the planting of shrubs; and “This project necessitated major side drainage in back of the curbing, the sloping of the banks and the construction of two walls, all within the limits of public space.”

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) improved a segment of Forty-ninth Street NW, from Ashby Place to Garfield Street. The WPA graded this road, and also prepared it for paving with a foundation of salvaged material. “This is an important project because it is an outlet from Conduit Road to Ashby Place through a part of the northwest section to Massachusetts Avenue.”

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) improved a segment of Luzon Avenue NW. from Sixteenth Street to Whittier Street. The WPA graded this road, and also prepared it for paving with a foundation of salvaged material. “In addition to fine grading and placing of salvaged material, this project required a small amount of heavy grading.”  

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) improved a segment of Bladensburg Rd. NE, from New York Ave. to Twenty-Fourth Place NE. This project assisted regular District of Columbia municipal workers, and was described as follows: “Prior to the widening of Bladensburg Road, an open stream (storm water) paralleled the roadway on its east side for quite a distance to the north. In order to obtain the required width it was necessary to enclose this stormwater in a five-foot sewer. This work was difficult because the banks on each side of the stream consisted of filled ground. The project was completed by the forces...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) improved a segment of Maryland Avenue NE. from Bladensburg Road to Nineteenth Street. The WPA graded this road, and also prepared it for paving with a foundation of salvaged material. “This work was done in connection with the paving of a portion of the roadway with cement concrete under the supervision of the Construction Division .”