From FoundSF: “Although widely used in European cities throughout the 20th century, publicly funded housing did not seriously penetrate the U.S. landscape until the Great Depression. An effort to create better and cheaper housing, the first subsidized housing program of… read more
The October 3, 1938 edition of the Daily Pacific Builder reported that $151,291 in PWA funds had been allotted for the Horace Mann gym and cafeteria.
Work consisted of excavation and building masonry rubble walls, 3,000 feet of red rock paths, 600 lineal feet of sewer, a standard convenience station and general renovation of an existing court surrounded by walls of natural floral beauty. This improvement… read more
(2.25 Acres) … Built one football field and one soccer field with parking facilities, demolished old jail and prepared material for future use. The property was transferred to Department of Education for San Francisco Junior College, which is now under… read more
‘Embracing less than one half acre. … Excavation of 880 cubic yards soft rock, construction of 37 cubic yards of rubble wall, 6 sets of reinforced concrete steps containing 27 cubic yards, installation of irrigation system of 500 pipe feet,… read more
Built subdrainage system to prevent slide endangering beach. This is the first portion of the development. The former Senator donated the land to the city so that the view could never be taken away from the people of his native… read more
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) gave Jackson Park a facelift during the 1930s, or what the City Engineer called “General repairs and dressing up” (Healy, p. 58). We have no evidence on what, if any, traces remain of the WPA… read more
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… read more
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… read more
"Graded and layed [sic] 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… read more
“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 [Works Progress Administration] artist Glen Wessels. The WPA inspired three contemporary… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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 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.
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… read more
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… read more
"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.
“Undersea Life” (1938), oil on canvas. The Maritime Museum is still well known for these murals. Federal Art Project (FAP) Artists: Hilaire Hiler
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… read more
(426 Acres) The work consisted of bulding roads thru [sic] 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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
