Pasadena Sites

The WPA was extensively involved in flood control construction in Arroyo Seco during the 1930s. Excerpts of WPA involvement in that history follow: 1934-35: Trapezoidal channel is constructed in the Central Arroyo from Devils Gate Dam through the Rose Bowl area to Holly Street with a soft bottom as part of a CWA, SERA, WPA project. 1935: The Works Progress Administration takes over the gravel operation in LA, designating it as a flood control project sponsored by the city of Los Angeles. Trapezoidal cross-section construction chosen since it minimized steel and lumber and maximized hand labor, satisfying requirements of relief funding. 1935-40: The...

Two Works Progress Administration concrete pedestrian bridges built over the Arroyo Seco flood control channel in the Brookside Golf Course next to the Rose Bowl.

"The Brookside Park Improvements, WP 25, WP 5702, WP 5704, WP 6978, WP 7716, WP 8101, WP 9534, WP 9624 and WP 9810, sponsored by the City of Pasadena, comprise a diversified construction program to improve the facilities and beauty of the park for the comfort, safety, and convenience of the public. Brookside Park, in the City of Pasadena, is a major recreational center, located in the Arroyo Seco and is one of the most popular parks in Los Angeles County. Many major golf tournaments are held on the Brookside course each year and the annual New Year's Day football...

A lattice steel public toilet built similarly to the one next to the Rose Bowl nearby. Two plaques on the front read "Built by United States Work Projects Administration 1940" and "Renovated by Public Works and Transportation Building Systems and Fleet Management Division 1995."

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp Angeles Crest (F-384) was established in Oak Grove Park, in Pasadena, California, July 1936 (Oak Grove Park is now called “Hahamongna Watershed Park”).  The camp was in operation until at least 1941, and for much of that time (perhaps the entire time) it was the home of CCC Company 903. Camp Angeles Crest and Company 903 were chosen by the CCC’s Ninth Corps Area to create an education model for the Corps.  “Such courses as erosion control, road building, surveying, U.S. Forest Service training, mechanics, etc., were included in the curriculum, and through this vocational training...

1 of 27 schools in the Pasadena CA school system that the New Deal, whether the WPA or PWA, was involved in reconstructing, demolishing, or reinforcing after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. Was built in 1926 in a Gothic style of architecture. Damaged slightly by the earthquake. October 31, 1935 WPA did reinforcement work to get the building up to standards.

The CCC built a set of three debris catchment basins below Eaton Canyon in 1940.

Construction of a school building and ground improvements.

1 of 27 schools in Pasadena that were rebuilt, demolished, or reinforced after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake by either the WPA or PWA. 1909 School built 1914 Replaced with a new brick building. 1933 Damaged by the 1933 earthquake. 1935 Rebuilt by the PWA

“When Franklin D.Roosevelt was elected in 1933, his Works Progress administration (WPA) put Pasadenans to work on park, flood control,and utility projects.They improved Brookside Park for the Chicago White Sox,who set up spring training there.”   (www.pasadena.edu) The stadium mentioned is today known as Jackie Robinson Memorial Field, dedicated to the famous baseball player who grew up in Pasadena and attended Pasadena Junior College, today Pasadena City College (also the site of New Deal projects). One of many features within the Arroyo Seco park system that were built by the New Deal, including trails, public bathrooms, parts of the Rose Bowl, the...

1 of 27 schools in Pasadena CA that the New Deal was involved in rebuilding, demolishing, or reinforcing after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. 5 photos available at the Pasadena Museum of History depict the demolition of the school by the WPA and 1 photo depicting a PWA contractor starting excavation for the new structure. Listed as "Project #1 B3 225" "Garfield school demolition was started by February 1, 1935. The school building proper was practically demolished by March 5th, 1935. The ensuing time was occupied with the removal, sorting and salvaging of materials. Average working force - 30 men" 1888 built as the California...

This was 1 of 27 schools in the Pasadena CA school system that the New Deal was involved in demolishing, rebuilding, or re-inforcing after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. The school was originally built in 1925, but was badly damaged in 1933. Reconstruction was delayed to intermittent funding by federal grants that were supplied in November 1934, February 1937, & June 1939. With funding from the Works Progress Administration, the John Marshall School was finally completed in 1940.  

Improvement of a playground

This 16' x 40', oil on canvas mural, "Modern Education/School Activities," was completed in 1942 by Frank Tolles Chamberlin after seven years of intermittent work. He received funding from the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) in 1934 and from the Federal Art Project (FAP) from 1935. The mural adorns the school library. The artist described its theme as "youth and its activities." According to Pasadena News Now, "With a typical Southern California landscape as a backdrop, forty-nine students of different backgrounds participate in a number of activities such as chemistry, sculpture, radio transmission, horseback riding and blacksmithing. The mural conveys...

In the town of Pasadena, California, "the CCC put... young men to work quickly on projects such as the extension of New York Avenue (now called New York Drive) from Foothill Blvd (now Altadena Dr) to Sierra Madre Villa Rd."

Federal support was critical to restoring Pasadena City College (formerly Pasadena Junior College, or PJC) after it sustained extensive damage in the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake. Immediately following the earthquake, the college received part of the $919,654 granted to the Pasadena school system by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). Three damaged buildings were demolished and fifty steam-heated tents were erected, coming to be known as "Tent City." "Classes were conducted in Tent City for three long, long years, during which time both students and teachers experienced many hardships" (Dodge, p. 30). In the meantime, Public Works Administration (PWA) grants—alongside the sale...

This pedestrian bridge over the Arroyo Seco flood control channel within the Rose Bowl parking lot was constructed by the WPA in 1935-36.

"One of seven Lattice Steel Toilets and Concession Stands at Pasadena Rose Bowl. W.P.A. #25 Jan. 1936" A description and photo of the toilet pictured here appears in a photo album compiled by New Deal officials. It is unclear whether the other buildings mentioned here are still extant. The condition of the toilet is poor.

A Works Progress Administration-built stone bridge crosses the Arroyo Seco along Washington Boulevard at the edge of the golf course. The WPA laid a plaque (possibly bronze) at the end of the bridge. It is currently covered by a modern chain link fence. "Historical trails, rock retaining walls, and local public art throughout the Arroyo Seco were...constructed under the auspices of the WPA." --Arroyo Seco Watershed Assessment  

"W.P.A. #25 Jan. 1936" 4 photographs in a New Deal album show construction work of rubble walls along the base of the Rose Bowl. From the outside, much of the rubble wall tunnels and ramps around the stadium can be seen. All of it looks to be in good shape and the good use of landscaping built into the design helps hide the bare construction of the outside of the stadium.

This reinforced concrete bridge over the Arroyo Seco flood control channel was built by the WPA in 1939.

The WPA made improvements to the school in the 1930s, constructing a new cafeteria and a one story frame, stucco building. They also made extensive ground improvements including: grading, landscaping, seeding, walkways, drives, walls, fences, etc. The Pasadena Museum of History explains the school's construction history: 1 of 27 schools in Pasadena Ca that were repaired, demolished, or reinforced by either the WPA or PWA following the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. 1884 Built somewhere on Washington St. 1909 Moved to a new facility at the current location on Raymond Ave. 1925 Rebuilt. 1933 Damaged by the Long Beach earthquake. 1935 Rebuilt by the WPA

The Works Progress Administration completed improvements at Washington Park Improvements in Pasadena CA. A plaque located on site reads: "Washington Park is one of the City of Pasadena's earliest public parks. Renowned landscape architect Ralph Cornell and horticulturalist Theodore Payne were hired by the City in 1922 to create a plan for the park and “sunken gardens.” Their design included curving paths, river rock walls, ramadas, picnic areas, and many native plants and formal plantings. Included also were tennis courts and a children's playground. Among Payne and Cornellis other Pasadena projects are Memorial Park and La Pintoresca Park. A wash that ran through...