Start Year: 1941

The Alley Dwelling Authority (ADA) and the United States Housing Authority (USHA) funded the construction of the James Creek Dwellings in Washington, DC between 1941 and 1943. The ADA was one of the earliest New Deal initiatives to provide better housing for low-income Americans. It replaced unsafe alley dwellings in Washington, DC with more modern and affordable houses and apartments. The ADA existed from 1934-1943 as a federally controlled special authority. It then slowly evolved into today’s DC Housing Authority, an independent agency of the DC Government. Beginning in December 1941, the ADA was ordered to prioritize housing for war workers. James Creek...

The Pentagon is America’s Department of Defense headquarters and the largest office building in the world.  It was constructed from August 1941 to January 1943 in order to centralize the administration of the U.S. armed services during World War II.   The site of the Pentagon had previously been a barren area, so the Public Roads Administration, a division of the New Deal’s Federal Works Agency (FWA), supervised a “$7 million network of highways to serve the and adjacent areas” (Sunday Star, 1942). While it may not appear to be a typical New Deal public works project, the Pentagon was built...

The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and the largest office building in the world.  It was constructed from August 1941 to January 1943 in order to centralize the administration of the U.S. armed services during World War II.  The burgeoning War Department moved from what is now the Truman Federal Building (home of the State Department), which had just been completed in 1940.  While it may not appear to be a typical New Deal public works project, the Pentagon ought to be considered as part of the New Deal legacy.  It was built for the...

In 1941, the Washington Post reported the start of a $1,158,000 road paving program carried out by the Public Roads Administration division of the Federal Works Administration (FWA). One of the streets slated to be paved was 21st Street between Virginia Avenue and C Street, NW. Although the street has been repaved since 1941, the New Deal played a role in its continued maintenance.

The armory for Yazoo City was funded by the WPA with a projected cost of $52,000. Located on the corner of Jackson Avenue and Twelfth Street, it was intended for use as the armory, auditorium, and other public use. The monolithic concrete building was designed by architect N. W. Overstreet. The city provided about $20,000 through the bond sales for their contribution. Harris & Knowles was awarded contract for reinforcing steel, H. L. White Lumber Company for the lumber, and W. H. Johnston for electrical work. Lack of available WPA labor and materials shortages resulted in a delay of completion....

The Works Progress Administration built a school gymnasium in Washington OK. Contributor note: "The gymnasium was built as a WPA project in 1941-2. It is a rectangular one-story building with a high ceiling, constructed of red brick which has been painted a cream color. The gym is located on the southwest corner of Kerby Avenue and S. Turner Street, behind the Washington Middle School. All windows in the gym are boarded up, but windows in the office areas are exposed and it appears the building is still in use." The building known locally as the “Old Gym” was in use as a library...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Paris Junior College Stadium in Paris TX. A 1941 article published in the Paris News provides details about the new project: "Construction of Noyes Stadium, a $100.000 athletic' plant for Paris Junior College, begins Monday (Feb. 10, 1941). Upon receiving a work order from the state WPA office, Walter Phelan, Lamar County's general superintendent. Friday afternoon notified President J. R. McLemore that work would get under way next week. One hundred and twenty-five men have already been assigned to the project. The same administrative force that constructed the main building and is now building a gymnasium at the new...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Paris Junior College Gymnasium in Paris TX. An article about the PJC Stadium being built by the WPA the article states that: "The same administrative force that constructed the main building and is now building a gymnasium at the new PJC plant will be in charge of stadium work. W. C. Christenson is superintendent of the college job, and John Mahaffey timekeeper."

In December 1937, William Phillip Bishop Woodhouse deeded a portion of his landholdings to the school district for the construction of Woodhouse School, which opened in the fall of 1938. The Work Projects Administration built additional facilities for Woodhouse School in 1941, including an agriculture building, a cafeteria and a home economics cottage. Woodhouse consolidated with the Four Pines School to create Westwood School. The class of 1960 was the last to graduate from Woodhouse, although its facilities continued in use until 1979.

The Works Progress Administration built the Milam Stadium Field House at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford OK. Contributor note: "The Fieldhouse is a one-story native sandstone building located just outside of the southeast entrance to the field. The small brick addition on the east side was added later. The fixed pane windows have stone sills, and a continuous three-row stone belt course above. The building was constructed by the WPA in 1941-2."