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  • Alhambra School (former) Improvements - Phoenix AZ
    The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement work at the old Alhambra School in Phoenix, Arizona during the 1930s. A gymnasium was also constructed in 1938. Living New Deal believes the old facility to be demolished.
  • Amphitheater - Madera Canyon AZ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was very active in the Coronado National Forest during the 1930s. Coronado National Forest is discontinuous across southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico because the forested areas occur only on isolated mountain ranges called "Sky Islands" – a type of landscape similar to the Basin and Range in Nevada. CCC camp F-30 was located in Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains (we are not sure exactly where or for how long).  The CCC 'boys' (enrollees) did extensive work in the canyon, including a campground, picnic area, amphitheater, trails and erosion works. The amphitheater is located about...
  • Archeological Work - Montezuma Castle National Monument AZ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps' Indian Division (CCC-ID) did archeological excavation and stabilization work at several sites of ancient indigenous ruins across Arizona in the 1930s.  A Navajo Indian CCC mobile unit was formed under a joint program between the Park Service and the Indian Service (later the Bureau of Indian Affairs) to work under the supervision of an archeologist on stabilization work on pre-Columbian ruins in Chaco Canyon, Navajo, Tonto, Wupatki, Aztec Ruins, Montezuma Castle, and Gran Quivira national monuments (Paige 1985, p. ?) It is likely that CCC enrollees also built the main visitor trail at the monument, but that needs...
  • Arizona Museum of Natural History (old City Hall) - Mesa AZ
    The Arizona Museum of Natural History is housed in a building that was originally the Mesa City Hall. The structure was built in 1937 with Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds and labor, and was designed by Lescher & Mahoney. The new civic building complex  housed the new City Hall, the fire department, the police department, municipal offices, municipal courts, a jail, the city library, the Chamber of Commerce, new public restrooms, and other functions. At the time the complex was built, Mesa was a small farming community of circa 5,000 residents. The structure is designed in Mission Revival style with typical features such as...
  • Arizona Snowbowl Road - Flagstaff AZ
    The New Deal helped construct the 9-mile road from Fort Valley Road (Highway 180) to the Arizona Snow Bowl ski area on Mt. Agassiz in the San Francisco Peaks, northwest of Flagstaff AZ. In the winter of 1938, the 20-30 Club, a Flagstaff service group, held a "snow carnival" on the southwest slope of Mt. Agassiz. It was so successful that the group ran a contest to choose a name for the area, and "Arizona Snow Bowl" was selected. The Coconino National Forest managers saw the opportunity to help advance the ski resort and offered to build a better access road up...
  • Arizona State Capitol Annex Building - Phoenix AZ
    The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the State Capitol Annex Building in 1938. The University of Arizona Libraries Digital Collections information page on State Capitol murals mentions that PWA funds were used "to hire Jay Datus to paint a series of murals entitled 'The Pageant of Arizona Progress.' Datus came to Arizona in 1937 at the age of 23, already an accomplished and well-known artist. He spent two years in research for these works in order to accurately depict the dress and actions of his subjects. His figures include Native Americans, miners, explorers, missionaries and pioneers." According to C.W....
  • Arizona State Fairgrounds Stadium and Art - Phoenix AZ
    The Works Progress Administration built the grandstand at the Arizona State Fair grounds in Phoenix. "As the Great Depression deepened and thousands were uprooted and looking for work, numerous fairgrounds were turned into camps for these transients. The Arizona State Fairgrounds provided a temporary place to stay and an opportunity to earn money through labor. Funded by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and later the Works Progress Administration, transients helped to construct the stadium. A fifty-foot grandstand, an adobe wall on three sides of the grounds, and an auto racing track inside the horse track were created in 1936. Exhibit buildings...
  • Arizona State Hospital Additions - Phoenix AZ
    The Works Progress Administration built additions for the Arizona State Hospital (also known as the Arizona State Hospital for the Insane) in Phoenix. The present condition of the structures in unknown to the Living New Deal.
  • Arizona State University Development - Tempe AZ
    The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of several new facilities at the Arizona State Teachers College in Tempe – today's Arizona State University. The New Deal improved many college campuses, including the University of Arizona in Tucson and Phoenix College.  Teachers' Colleges were often targetted. The building shown here is probably the back of West Hall, now covered by other buildings and the reception is surely in the lounge of West Hall. Known buildings have their own project pages.  Matthews Hall appears to be New Deal, but it is not certain.  More information regarding the location and status of all New Deal...
  • Arizona State University: Cafeteria - Tempe AZ
    The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction a cafeteria building at the Arizona State Teachers College in Tempe (today the Arizona State University). The exact location of the cafeteria and its fate are unknown to the Living New Deal. It has probably been demolished.
  • Arizona State University: Central Heating Plant (demolished) - Tempe AZ
    The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the central heating plant at the Arizona State Teachers College in Tempe (today the Arizona State University).  The site was cleared in 2019 for a large hotel-retail complex.
  • Arizona State University: Golf Course - Tempe AZ
    There is a record in the National Archives of the Public Works Administration (PWA) funding the construction of a golf course at the Arizona State Teachers College in Tempe (now the Arizona State University).  It is unclear what kind of golf course is meant and where it was located, and the picture shows students putting behind a campus building – not a golf course at all.  There was a true golf course built northeast of the ASU campus, but apparently much later.  Further information is needed to verify the history of this golf course.
  • Arizona State University: Irish Hall - Tempe AZ
    In 1940, the Works Program Administration (WPA) constructed the dormitory complex called Irish Hall on the south side of the campus of what was then the Arizona State Normal School, now Arizona State University. Irish Hall consists of three separate wings (A, B & C buildings) around a courtyard. The buildings are plain, two-story Moderne style structures with horizontal streamlining and metal frame windows.  They still function as dormitories (which means that today access is closed to the public). There is a WPA plaque in the entrance way.
  • Arizona State University: Matthews Center - Tempe AZ
    The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the old Matthews library building at the Arizona State Teachers College in Tempe.  It presently serves as the Matthews Center on the campus of today's Arizona State University. The building is a low (two-story) brick building in neo-classical style. It has a large footprint, no doubt to accommodate book stacks in the past.  It is unclear how much modification has been made for its new life as The Matthews Center.   
  • Arizona State University: Moeur Building - Tempe AZ
    The Moeur Building was built in 1939 by the Works Projects Administration (WPA). It is the only adobe building on campus and the design is Southwest (Pueblo) Revival. The exterior is intact and well maintained, and there is a WPA stamp on the front steps (though no plaque or cornerstone).  The interior beyond the lobby appears to have been modernized (but this need corroboration). The building is named after Benjamin Baker Moeur, M.D., who served as the official physician for the Arizona Territorial Normal School (now Arizona State University) and served two terms as governor of Arizona.   Today, the Moeur Building houses...
  • Arizona State University: West Hall - Tempe AZ
    The Public Works Administration (PWA)  funded the construction of the West Hall, a girls’ dormitory at the Arizona State Teachers College in Tempe (today the Arizona State University). "Built as the last of four dormitories that created the quadrangle, a place that hosted many early student traditions, West Hall is the only of the four buildings still remaining. The School of Social Transformation, and the School of Politics and Global Studies now occupy West Hall." West Hall is a handsome, two-story brick building in neo-classical style. The columned portico has Paladian windows and the original light fixtures.  There are inset bas-reliefs set around...
  • Avondale Elementary School Buildings - Avondale AZ
    The old Avondale Elementary School building facing the street at 295 Western Ave., which is now an administrative building for the Avondale Elementary School District was built by the WPA, as is the school's current gymnasium. These are most likely two of the buildings referred to in a publication by the Three Rivers Historical Society stating that: "In 1937, with a school bond issue of $12,500 and $77,315 in W.P.A. labor, Avondale School added more classrooms." Several sidewalks around the school also bear circular stamps saying "USA WPA."
  • Barfoot Lookout - Coronado National Forest AZ
    The historic Barfoot fire lookout tower in Coronado National Forest was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938. NRHP Nomination Form: "Barfoot lookout is located on the Douglas Ranger District and was built in 1935, possibly by a CCC crew. The lookout house is an L-4 type wooden house measuring 14 ft by 14 ft. This complex also includes a wood frame shed, privy, concrete cistern and an attractive, rustic style native stone retaining wall. The lookout complex represents one of the best examples of its type in the Southwestern Region. Study of historic photographs indicates no major modifications have...
  • Bear Mountain Lookout - Apache National Forest AZ
    The historic Bear Mountain fire lookout tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). NRHP nomination form: "This Aermotor MC-E4 steel tower, located off the Alpine Ranger District, was constructed in 1933, probably by the CCC. It is 45 ft 9 in high and has a 7 ft by 7 ft steel cab. The storage shed (an old cabin) was built in 1928. The present cabin and privy were built in 1940. There was a wooden platform tower at this location in the early 1920s. The lookout complex is situated within a primitive area and is also the location of...
  • Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park - Globe AZ
    "The park contains remains from a prehistoric communal dwelling constructed by the Salado people. The site was inhabited from 1225 to 1400 A.D. Irene Vickrey conducted the first formal archaeological investigation starting in 1935. Funding for her salary and her laborers came from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and later the Works Progress Administration. She and her workmen excavated over 200 rooms and 350 burial sites. Vickrey worked on the excavation until January 1946. Her cause of death was due to heart failure due to a long term health condition. Her death left the excavations incomplete and her results unpublished. The...
  • Bog Springs Campground - Madera Canyon AZ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was very active in the Coronado National Forest during the 1930s. Coronado National Forest is discontinuous across southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico because the forested areas occur only on isolated mountain ranges called "Sky Islands" – a type of landscape similar to the Basin and Range in Nevada. CCC camp F-30 was located in Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains (we are not sure exactly where or for how long).  The CCC 'boys' (enrollees) did extensive work in the canyon, including a campground, picnic area, amphitheater, trails and erosion works. One of the CCC projects...
  • Box Canyon Road - Santa Rita Mountains AZ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was very active in the Coronado National Forest during the 1930s. Coronado National Forest is discontinuous across southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico because the forested areas occur only on isolated mountain ranges called "Sky Islands" – a type of landscape similar to the Basin and Range in Nevada. Box Canyon road is one of those projects.  It traverses the Santa Rita Mountains from roughly Green Valley and Interstate 19 on the west to Greaterville and state highway 83 on the east side of the mountains.  It is a well-maintained dirt road to this day. "The Civilian...
  • Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Superior AZ
    "The Boyce Thompson Arboretum was established in 1923. Franklin Crider, a University of Arizona botanist, managed the research unit to study soil retention by plant roots. In 1933 a small group of Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees from camp F16A at Pinal Mountain was brought in to develop a plant nursery. The young men built raised beds and grew thousands of grasses and plants for range revegetation and forestry projects. Supervised by the Forest Service rangers and arboretum staff, the enrollees supplied the labor to continue the important work of soil conservation in central Arizona."
  • Bright Angel Trail and Shelters - Grand Canyon National Park AZ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) conducted development work at Grand Canyon National Park, 1933-42, including extensive reconstruction work on the Bright Angel Trail, completed in 1939. The National Park Service's CCC Walking Tour says that: " began a major reconstruction of the trail. With help from the CCC, the NPS completed the work in 1939. The early trail was only two to three feet (less than one meter) wide in spots. With pick, shovel, drill, and dynamite contractors and the CCC boys rerouted and reconstructed the trail to its present four to six foot (1.2 – 2 m) width. During the same...
  • Buck Mountain Lookout - Coconino National Forest AZ
    The historic Buck Mountain fire lookout tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). NRHP Nomination Form: "Located on the Long Valley Ranger District, this 30 ft high CT-2 wooden x-brace tower has a 14 ft by 14 ft L-4 wood cab on top. It was built in 1933, probably by a CCC crew. The steps were slightly altered in 1953. The timbers were treated for preservation in 1957 and the roof was reshingled in 1983. These modifications have not had a negative impact on the property. This represents the best example of a surviving CT-2 type tower in the...
  • Buckeye Road Sidewalks and Improvements - Phoenix AZ
    The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed sidewalks along, and otherwise improved, Buckeye Road in Phoenix, Arizona during the 1930s.
  • Bumblebee Bridge - Bumblebee AZ
    The Works Progress Administration built a bridge in Bumblebee, Yapavai County. Project #38, completed circa 1936.
  • Canyon de Chelly National Monument - Chinle AZ
    Canyon de Chelly is "one of a few National Park Service units that lie wholly within Navajo lands." It is jointly managed by the NPS and the Navajo Nation. "The National Park Service was eager to maintain Canyon de Chelly in unaltered condition while also providing safe and attractive accommodations for the visiting public. With $6000 from an erosion control project, Indian CCC laborers began work on the 4,085-foot-long White House Trail, supervised by a park service engineer. Each year Indian CCC enrollees did further work on roads leading to Canyon de Chelly as well as roads and trails within...
  • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument - Coolidge AZ
    Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, Arizona, preserves an ancient Sonoran Desert people's farming community and "Great House."  One of the largest prehistoric structures ever built in North America, the purpose of the Casa Grande remains a mystery. Between 1937 and 1940 the CCC did extensive work in the area, including constructing a number of adobe park facilities. All of these structures remain in use today and are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "y 1937 the park still did not have a maintenance and storage facility. For this large building project of the 1930s, Park Superintendent Frank...
  • CCC Camp - Petrified Forest National Park AZ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) first arrived in Petrified Forest National Monument in 1933, setting up camp at Rio Puerco.  There seems to have been a pause before a new company arrived in 1936 and another in 1938.  The camp numbers were PNM-1 and 2 and one of the companies was #3342. During their time in the Petrified Forest, the CCC enrollees built the Painted Desert Inn, two groups of ranger residences, the trail system, and a water pipeline, as well as paving and improving the park's roads. Petrified Forest became a National Park in 1962.
  • CCC Camps - Coronado National Forest AZ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was very active in the Coronado National Forest during the 1930s. Coronado National Forest is discontinuous across southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico because the forested areas occur only on isolated mountain ranges called "Sky Islands" – a type of landscape similar to the Basin and Range in Nevada. Segments of the national forest are found in five counties: Cochise, Graham, Santa Cruz, Pima, and Pinal Counties in Arizona, and Hidalgo County in New Mexico. There were five CCC camps in  Coronado National Forest south-central Arizona: F-42 Tanque Verde in the Rincon Mountains; SP-11, Box Canyon...
  • CCC Camps - Grand Canyon National Park AZ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was extremely active in Grand Canyon National Park from 1933 to 1942.  There were six CCC camps on the North Rim, South Rim and in the canyon itself and seven companies active over the decade: #818, 819, 847, 2543, 2833, 3318 and 4814.   Grand Canyon National Park received more development funds and labor from the Civilian Conservation Corps than any other location in Arizona. CCC enrollees built many of the recreation facilities still in use today, such as paths, trails, roads, shelters, and campgrounds, along with basic infrastructure, such as telephone lines, electric lines, water pipes and sewer...
  • Chandler High School Gymnasium and Improvements - Chandler AZ
    CUSD: "In 1939, a new gymnasium was constructed on the high school campus, immediately southwest of the old gymnasium. Built at a cost of $70,000, the new structure had a cafeteria at the rear, with dressing rooms for boys and girls in the basement. An April 13, 1939 article in the Chandler Arizonan touted the new building as “one of the finest in Arizona … as modern as up-to-date builders and equipment furnishers can make it.” The work was funded by a $33,000 bond issue as well as a $27,000 federal grant from the Public Works Administration. The original gymnasium...
  • Chiricahua National Monument - Willcox AZ
    "Chiricahua National Monument was constructed by a single Civilian Conservation Corps camp, NM2A, between 1934 and 1940. These young men reconstructed the Massai Point Road and built the trails, campground structures and visitor center, the lookout on Sugarloaf Peak, and the exhibit building on Massai Point. The buildings were assembled from boulders or blocks quarried from native welded tuff (hardened ash) found in the surrounding mountains. Designed in the National Park Service Rustic style, the buildings sit low and close to the landscape mimicking the surrounding rock environment and have been screened with native vegetation. A CCC exhibit in the...
  • Citizens' Cemetery Boundary Wall - Prescott AZ
    In the winter of 1933-34, the relief workers of the Civil Works Administration (CWA) built a fine stone wall, 4-6 feet high, around the entire 6.5 acre Citizens' Cemetery. A metal fence has been added on top of the south side wall to discourage anyone from climbing over. Citizens' Cemetery was created in 1864, the same year as the founding of Prescott AZ.  It is now part of the Prescott Armory Historic District, which was placed on the National Register in 1994.  The latter includes Ken Lindley Park, the Museum of Indigenous People, and the former National Guard Armory (now the Grace...
  • City Cemetery Improvements - Cottonwood AZ
    From its origins in the 19th century, the cemetery in Cottonwood AZ was privately owned and run. A local committee was formed in 1937-38 to maintain the cemetery and it immediately sought federal aid from the New Deal.  Help came from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which fenced the entire site. We have no found a definite date for when the work was done. Notably, the WPA relief workers built a 4-5' stone wall along the front of the property and two entrance gates. The main entrance is notable for its a metal arch reading "Cottonwood Cemetery".   The wall, gates and...
  • City Hall (Demolished) - Casa Grande AZ
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a City Hall in Casa Grande AZ. The building also housed the Police and Fire Departments. The facade was finished with plaster and featured Art Deco style elements, such as the vertical, low relief decoration marking the entrance. This structure was demolished c. 1980 and replaced by the building currently housing the Chamber of Commerce.  The Casa Grande City Hall is now housed in the former Casa Grande Union High School building, built before the New Deal.
  • City Hall Annex (Old Post Office) - Kingman AZ
    Originally constructed as Kingman's post office, this building now serves as Kingman's City Hall Annex. A historic marker outside the building states: "A monument to massive federal building programs during the 1930s, construction of the post office represents the first major Federal construction in Kingman. Its completion was a major event in the town. The building is constructed of concrete and stucco with arched windows, a Period Revival style with Italianate influences." Public Works Administration (PWA) Docket No. Fed-156.
  • Clear Creek Trail - Grand Canyon National Park AZ
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) conducted extensive development work in Grand Canyon National Park from 1933 to 1942. Among its trail development work, the CCC constructed the Clear Creek Trail, which connects North Kaibab Trail to Clear Creek to the east of Phantom Ranch. The National Park Service's CCC Walking Tour, discussing various CCC trail development projects, notes: "Even more ambitious was the nine-mile (14 km) Clear Creek Trail (1933-36) ..."
  • Cochise Airport Runway Improvement - Wilcox AZ
    The Works Progress Administration carried out runway improvement work at the airport in the vicinity of Cochise, Douglas County. Project #309, completed circa 1936. The exact location and condition of this facility is unknown to the Living New Deal.
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