San Francisco Sites

Concrete, 3 stories, for 1600 students.

Construction of baseball bleachers, installation of night lighting; painting and excavation--Mooser, p. 87.

Landscaped and built modern sprinkling system. Before the operation the site was in a rundown condition and badly in need of treatment. It is now thoroughly enjoyed by the neighborhood.--Healy, p. 59.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed San Francisco's John Muir Drive as part of a larger Lake Merced-area road development project undertaken during the 1930s. Healy, p. 43: This improvement contributed to the State plan of connecting main highways by broad intersecting arteries, in this case making an arterial connection from Sunset Boulevard around Lake Merced to Skyline Boulevard and to Junipero Serra and Alemany Boulevards and to Highway 101, thus aiding the traffic problem and producing a landscaped boulevard of rare value for recreation and scenic beauty, skirting the shores of Lake Merced. The work performed consisted of grading, rocking and...

Three 15' x 7.5' frescoes by David Park on the themes "Art," "Civilization," and "Nature." The frescoes surround the main entrance. The murals were done as part of the Public Works of Art Program (then funded by the CWA).

Constructed tennis courts and basketball court. This work will be complete when a Field House is built. The location was an ordinary sand lot.--Healy, p. 64.

(6.03 Acres) Presidio Reservation. Surfaced tennis courts, painted Field House inside and outside, erected 700 lineal feet of 10 feet wire fence; planted trees and shrubs and seeded approximately two acres.--Healy, p. 64.

Erected a one story reinforced concrete addition to present training quarters and reconstructed old wooden seats to concrete framing. This work of increased the facilities for football and basket ball games. With a seating capacity of 60,000 it is well patronized for conventions and intercollegiate games.--Healy, p. 57.

"Graded and layed 4" rock base for 19,000 square feet of paths, reconstructed 42,000 square feet of existing paths, paved with asphalt, 61,000 square feet, demolished water tower and frame house, built 91 cubic yards of concrete steps and wall, two tennis courts and completed water system, regraded existing playfield. This work modernized an old park in a high class residential section.--Healy, p. 57.

"Built in the 1920s, the renovated hospital campus contains more than a hundred contemporary and historical public artworks. The entryway to the main building displays five murals by WPA artist Glen Wessels. The WPA inspired three contemporary mosaic murals in the lobby depicting the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. A status of Florence Nightingale by FAP sculptor David Edstrom honors the founder of professional nursing." (Guide.)

This 6' cast-stone sculpture of Florence Nightingale was completed in 1937 with WPA Federal Art Project funds by sculptor David Edstrom.

The Laguna Honda Hospital contains five 8' x 6' murals by Glen Wessels, painted with funding from the PWAP in 1934. Four of the murals depict the elements "Earth," "Air," "Water" and "Fire," while a fifth is called "The Professions."

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed San Francisco's Merced Boulevard during the Great Depression. Healy, p. 43: This improvement contributed to the State plan of connecting main highways by broad intersecting arteries, in this case making an arterial connection from Sunset Boulevard around Lake Merced to Skyline Boulevard and to Junipero Serra and Alemany Boulevards and to Highway 101, thus aiding the traffic problem and producing a landscaped boulevard of rare value for recreation and scenic beauty, skirting the shores of Lake Merced. The work performed consisted of grading, rocking and surfacing a finished 60 foot drive, more than three miles long....

Cleared the site and prepared it for skeet shooting. This project shows the variety of sports that are encouraged to promote the health and enjoyment of the people.--Healy, p. 67.

This K-8 school is now known as the Lawton Alternative School. The PWA built both the elementary school (with 18 classrooms) and the Kindergarten portions of the school, as well as an auditorium with 350 seats.

Painting the interior of 14 buildings and the exterior of 8 buildings. Replacement of 10,350 lineal feet of heating and hot water pipe including tanks, valves, fittings, pipe covering, and hangers in the heating and hot water distribution systems. Construct new hardwood floors in 12 buildings, and install underground electric distributing lines to replace 8,000 lineal feet of overhead lines. Landscape 8 acres.--Mooser, p. 89.

Built this modern clubhouse with latest devices for the pleasure and comfort of the public. Like Harding Golf Club it has become a very popular asset.--Healy, p. 59.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) improved the facilities at San Francisco's Lombard Park during the Great Depression. Work consisted of landscaping and building walls and paths and providing recreation facilities for mothers and children.--Healy, p. 56.

The WPA worked on Lombard St. between Lyon and Broderick.

  The October 3, 1938 edition of the Daily Pacific Builder reported that $207,500 in PWA funds had been awarded for the construction of the Marina Junior High auditorium. Construction on the main building seems to have begun earlier.

1000 seats, concrete.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to develop the grounds at San Francisco's Marine Hospital. Work summary: Widen the lawn around Building No. 9 to a 20 foot width, with a 2 to 1 slope. Excavate for and construct approximately 360 lineal feet of reinforced concrete retaining wall. Spade, loam, fertilize 60,000 square feet of lawn.--Mooser, p. 85.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed tennis courts at San Francisco's Marine Hospital. Work involved: Grading and construction of double tennis courts, including certain planting and shrubbery around same after construction, and in area adjacent to same. This is for the use of the personnel living on the reservation.--Mooser, p. 83.

"Psychological Color Chart; Dr. Oswald's Color Solid" (1940), oil on canvas, is in the west wing.

Beniamino Bufano created two sculptures for the Maritime Museum in 1942 with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project. "Seal" is a red granite sculpture, and "Animal" a black one.

Sargent Johnson created this two part project "Sea Forms" for the WPA "comprised of a 30 feet long, 14 feet high greenish-gray slate facade titled, Sea Forms, that was placed over the main entrance to the Maritime Museum on Polk Street and a 125 feet long, 14 feet high glazed tile of green and white abstract patterns resembling sea forms that covered the stair wells to the promenade deck." The glazed tile mural is located at the north portico.

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park was originally the San Francisco Aquatic Park, created by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1936-1939. The 32 acre park included a lagoon and a bathhouse. The lagoon was ringed by breakwaters, with three small towers, a promenade and grandstand.  The bathhouse was built in the distinctive Streamline Moderne style of the late 1930s and originally housed a restaurant above and showers and dressing rooms in the basement.  The Aquatic Park was an extremely popular swimming spot for San Franciscans when it was built.   A contemporary description: "... A water park, par excellence. ......

The WPA worked on Market St. between Gough and Castro.

(426 Acres) The work consisted of bulding roads thru the park, involving the excavation of 14,350 cubic yards of rock, macadamizing 400,000 square feet of road and 125,400 square feet of foot paths and bridle paths, construction of 12,172 lineal feet of stone gutter for roads, 7,481 lineal feet of for paths, 17 seepage pits, 56 storm water inlets, laying 2,315 lineal feet of corrugated iron culverts, landscaping park area, creating fire brakes, building fire trails, planting 10,000 trees and shrubs, boxing and transplanting 600 trees. This improvement created an attractive park out of a large tract of land...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) improved the facilities at San Francisco's Merced Manor. Work description: Landscaped large reservoir and paths and prepared the top of the reservoir for construction of tennis courts eventually. An example of unique treatment of a reservoir in a residential section which has received the commendation of adjacent residents and thoughtful city planners.--Healy, p. 58.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) developed San Francisco's Merrie Way Esplanade during the Great Depression. Work: Consisted of clearing and grubbing a half acre tract, 1,500 cubic yards and surfacing with 350 cubic yards of rock and bitumuls wearing surface, creating parking and observation area close to Ocean Beach and Recreation grounds.--Healy, p. 44.

Drew Athletic Field was constructed behind the school in the late 1930s. Dorland Street was removed to make room for the field. The October 3, 1938 edition of the Daily Pacific Builder reported that $65,000 in PWA funds had been allotted for the project.

The school contains two 6' x 24' murals "Civilization Through the Arts and Crafts as Taught to the Neophyte Indians" and "Mission San Francisco de Asis." They were painted by Edith Hamlin in 1936-37 with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project. Betty Willey and Jay Risling assisted. Hamlin retouched the murals herself in 1973. Both murals were originally located in the school library.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) developed San Francisco's Mission Playground, located at 19th and (what was then known as) Angelica Streets, during the Great Depression. The park is still in use today. Painted swimming pool and dressing rooms, repaired basketball court, children's area and installed lighting system, rehabilitated entire area, graded, built walls, 2 tennis courts, 1 basketball court. This was one of the older playgrounds in need of repairs.--Healy, p. 66.

(40 Acres) Constructed water bound macadam trails, rubble and concrete retaining walls and park benches, installed water system, landscaped and planted 25 acres. This work created a fine park at the summit of Mount Davidson, highest point in San Francisco, where an unexcelled panoramic view is obtained. This area is used each year for the Sunrise Service at Easter attended by several thousands of San Franciscans.--Healy, p. 56.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to develop San Francisco's Mountain Lake Park during the Great Depression. Examples: Repairs like Lombard, consisting of landscaping, building 2 new tennis courts and walks and horseshoe courts; also provided a shelter for card playing for the older people.--Healy, p. 56.

Richard Ayer create two artworks on the third floor of the visitors center (former Aquatic Park bathhouse) at the Maritime National Historical Park in San Francisco, California.  One is a bas relief "Nautical Abstractions" is composed of paint on plaster with embedded rope and piping.  The other is a mural, "Tugboats". Both pieces were completed in 1939 with the help of Federal Art Project (FAP) funds.

The Blue Room is one of the original dining areas in the San Francisco Aquatic Park bathhouse,  constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The building is now the visitors center for the National Maritime Historical Park. The building architects were William Mooser Jr and William Mooser III. The painting and murals were paid for by the Federal Art Project (FAP) and done under the supervision of Hilaire Hiler, lead artist for the entire building's artworks. Original drawings refer to this circular room on the eastern side of the second level as “restaurant.” There is no known record as to how it...

Beniamino Bufano's brown granite sculptures of a seal and a frog were completed in 1942 with the help of Federal Art Project (FAP) funds. They sit  on the bayside exterior porch of the visitors center.