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Projects in Phoenix Visit the Arizona state page

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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.

Project type: Education and Health, Schools
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

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… read more

Project type: Auxiliary Civic Facilities, Civic Facilities
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA)

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… read more

Project type: Art Works, Fairgrounds, Parks and Recreation
Agency: Federal Arts Project (FAP), Works Progress Administration (WPA)

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.

Project type: Education and Health, Hospitals and Clinics
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

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.

Project type: Infrastructure and Utilities, Roads, Bridges, and Tunnels, Sidewalks and Stairs
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Cochise County Courthouse Sculpture – Bisbee AZ

"Copper Miner"

“To portray ‘beauty, toil and simplicity’ was the goal of artist, R. Phillips Sanderson, when he designed the ‘Copper Miner.’ Sanderson had moved to Bisbee during the Depression and worked as a commercial artist. He was paid $30.00 per month… read more

Project type: Art Works, Sculpture and Bas Relief
Agency: Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)

Coronado Historic Neighborhood Sidewalks – Phoenix AZ

WPA created sidewalks and curbs poured as the neighborhood developed between 1939 and 1942.

Project type: Sidewalks and Stairs, Infrastructure and Utilities
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Coronado Park – Phoenix AZ

“Phoenix has no shortage of [New Deal] projects. The city’s park system is a major benefactor, with huge undertakings in places like South Mountain Park and Encanto Park and smaller projects, such as a bathhouse in Coronado Park…South Mountain Park… read more

Project type: Parks and Recreation, Bathhouses
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

East Van Buren Street Improvements – Phoenix AZ

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to develop and improve Phoenix, Arizona’s East Van Buren Street during the 1930s.

Project type: Infrastructure and Utilities, Roads, Bridges, and Tunnels
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Eastlake Park – Phoenix AZ

The park was originally called Phoenix Park, renamed Eastlake Park in 1903, and bought by the City of Phoenix in 1914 (City of Phoenix African American Historic Property Survey pp 29-30). The survey further states that: “In 1937 Works Progress… read more

Project type: Parks and Recreation, Bathhouses
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Encanto Blvd. Sidewalk – Phoenix AZ

The W.P.A. constructed sidewalks in Phoenix, AZ, including at “Encanto & First Ave.”

Project type: Sidewalks and Stairs, Infrastructure and Utilities
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Encanto Park Bandshell – Phoenix AZ

Encanto Park Bandshell

"The revival of interest in listening to music out of doors has not been overlooked by the city of Phoenix in its park improvement program, and this band shell in the Dorris-Norton Park provides a place where the bands and… read more

Project type: Parks and Recreation
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA)

Encanto Park Improvements and Clubhouse – Phoenix AZ

Encanto Park Clubhouse

“In order to provide its citizens and its large transient population with better park facilities, the city of Phoenix undertook the rehabilitation and beautification of existing parks and the acquisition of lands for the creation of new mountain and city… read more

Project type: Parks and Recreation
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA)

Federal Building and Post Office (former) – Phoenix AZ

The former Phoenix Federal Building and Post Office (now owned by ASU) was designed by Phoenix architectural firm Lescher and Mahoney in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Construction had begun in 1932, before the advent of FDR’s presidency (and thus… read more

Project type: Federal Facilities, Post Offices
Agency: Treasury Department

Federal Building and Post Office (former) Murals – Phoenix AZ

The historic former Federal Building and Post Office in Phoenix, Arizona houses examples of New Deal artwork. In 1937 the U.S. Treasury’s Section of Fine Arts commissioned artist La Verne Nelson Black to create two murals for the east wing… read more

Project type: Art Works, Murals
Agency: Treasury Section of Fine Arts (TSFA)

Grant Park – Phoenix AZ

“A major park that African Americans on the west side frequented was Grant Park, located at 3rd Avenue and Grant Street. Grant Park existed as an empty lot with grass and trees until the city Parks and Recreation Department renovated… read more

Project type: Parks and Recreation, Bathhouses, Swimming Pools, Tennis Courts
Agency: Civil Works Administration (CWA), Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Lynwood and 15th Street Sidewalks – Phoenix AZ

The Works Progress Administration built sidewalks on Lynwood and 15th Street in the west side of Phoenix, circa 1937.

Project type: Infrastructure and Utilities, Sidewalks and Stairs
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

National Guard Arsenal (Papago Park)- Phoenix AZ

Papago Park National Guard Arsenal

“The old National Guard Arsenal is the second largest adobe building in continuous use in the United States. Funded by the Works Progress Administration in 1936, it was part of the recreation development of Papago Park, an expansive, designed landscape.”

Project type: Military and Public Safety, Armories
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

North High School – Phoenix AZ

Phoenix, Arizona’s North High School was constructed with the assistance of Public Works Administration (PWA) funds in 1939. “The North Phoenix High School was built to relieve the overcrowded Phoenix Union High School which enrolled over 5,000 students in 1939…. read more

Project type: Education and Health, Schools
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA)

Papago Highway – Tempe to Scottsdale AZ

The Works Progress Administration carried out road construction on the Papago Highway, connecting Tempe with Scottsdale. This is possibly the road now known as N Galvin Parkway, not to be confused with the Interstate highway known as the Papago Freeway.

Project type: Infrastructure and Utilities, Roads, Bridges, and Tunnels
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Papago Park Amphitheater – Phoenix AZ

The amphitheater in the Papago Buttes at the north end of the Papago city park in Phoenix AZ was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933-34. “Civilian Conservation Corps camp SP5A constructed an amphitheater built into Papago Buttes… read more

Project type: Amphitheaters, Parks and Recreation
Agency: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Phoenix College Auditorium – Phoenix AZ

The Public Works Administration funded the construction an auditorium building at the Junior College (today Phoenix College) in Phoenix. The facade architecture features Art Deco elements and white plaster finish. The auditorium is still in service today at Phoenix College.  

Project type: Education and Health, Auditoriums and Arenas, Civic Facilities, Colleges and Universities
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA)

Phoenix College Buildings and Murals – Phoenix AZ

Phoenix College Building

“In 1939 Phoenix College moved from its old location to a new site at Thomas and 15th. The architectural firm of Lescher and Mahoney was hired with Public Works Administration funds to design the first six buildings for the new… read more

Project type: Art Works, Colleges and Universities, Education and Health, Murals
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA), Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)

Phoenix Homesteads – Phoenix AZ

Phoenix Homesteads House

“In 1934 the Division of Subsistence Homesteads purchased a tract of land on what was then the outskirts of Phoenix in order to build a public housing community for low-income residents. Construction of the first half of the Phoenix Homesteads… read more

Project type: Forestry and Agriculture, Resettlement Communities
Agency: Resettlement Administration (RA)

Road Work – Phoenix AZ

“The PWA has made a grant of $61,200 to the city of Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, for street improvements including paving of portions of 8th, Richland St., 9th, Monte Vista Road, Mitchell St., Coronado Road, and Almeria Road. Estimated cost… read more

Project type: Infrastructure and Utilities, Roads, Bridges, and Tunnels
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA)

South Mountain Park: CCC Camps – Phoenix AZ

Statue and plaque to the CCC at South Mountain Park, Environmental Education Center - Phoenix AZ

South Mountain Park in Phoenix AZ was the site of two Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps from 1933 to 1940, labeled SP-3A and SP-4A.  Around 4,000 CCC enrollees passed through the camps over that time, in Companies 864, 874, and… read more

Project type: CCC Camps, Parks and Recreation
Agency: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

South Mountain Park: Lookouts – Phoenix AZ

Dobbins lookout, South Mountain Park - Phoenix AZ

South Mountain Park in Phoenix AZ was developed for public recreation by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1933 to 1940.  The best known of the works by the CCC is the large stone shelter at the Dobbins Lookout, which… read more

Project type: Parks and Recreation, Lodges, Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers, Shops and Auxiliary Buildings
Agency: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

South Mountain Park: Picnic Ramadas – Phoenix AZ

Large picnic ramada, South Mountain Park - Phoenix AZ

South Mountain Park in Phoenix AZ was developed for public recreation by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1933 to 1940. Among the works of the CCC were two ramadas, which are large, elaborate picnic areas, with stunning views north… read more

Project type: Picnic and Other Facilities, Comfort Stations (Restrooms), Parks and Recreation, Viewpoints and Overlooks
Agency: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

South Mountain Park: Ranger Station – Phoenix AZ

Ranger station, South Mountain Park - Phoenix AZ

South Mountain Park in Phoenix AZ was developed for public recreation by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1933 to 1940. One the main works done by the CCC was  an entrance station complex that included a museum, administrative offices,… read more

Project type: Parks and Recreation, Lodges, Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers, Shops and Auxiliary Buildings
Agency: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

South Mountain Park: Roads and Trails – Phoenix AZ

Summit Road, South Mountain Park - Phoenix AZ

South Mountain Park in Phoenix AZ was developed for public recreation by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1933 to 1940.  During that time, the CCC enrollees built many, if not most, of the roads and trails in the park… read more

Project type: Parks and Recreation, Park Roads and Bridges, Paths and Trails
Agency: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

State Capitol Annex Building Mural – Phoenix AZ

"The Pageant of Arizona Progress"

From the University of Arizona Libraries Digital Collection: “Public Works Administration funds were used to construct the State Capitol Annex Building in 1938 and to hire Jay Datus to paint a series of murals entitled “The Pageant of Arizona Progress.”… read more

Project type: Art Works, Murals
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA)

Street Improvements – Phoenix AZ

Numerous large-scale street improvement and paving projects were undertaken in Tucson, Arizona during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Public Work Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied outright grants of more than $665,000 (not adjusted for inflation) for… read more

Project type: Infrastructure and Utilities, Roads, Bridges, and Tunnels
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA)

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