Connecticut Sites

Bridgeport's Normal School received one or more murals under the WPA's Federal Art Project. The City Normal School was part of Grammar School No. 3, which was later renamed the Elias Howe School. The Elias Howe School still stands today, but is unused. The fate of the WPA murals is unknown.

Elisabeth C. Adams Middle School in Guilford, Connecticut was originally constructed as the community's high school. Its construction was enabled by the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the 1930s. The original structure has since been significantly added to. The PWA gave the community a grant of $89,189 toward the school's construction; the school project cost a total of $198,913. PWA completion documents declare that construction on the building began Jan. 1936; the building was completed by the end of the year. PWA Docket No. CT 1118.

Formerly known as Ellsworth Memorial High School, this Colonial Revival building incorporates elements of what was a seminary built in 1834. The project was undertaken with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) sponsorship. The P.W.A. supplied a $56,250 grant for the project, whose total cost was $125,759. Construction occurred between Jan. and Oct. 1936. P.W.A. Docket No. CT 1036

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) completed improvements on Elton St., a farm-to-market road in Berlin CT. The project consisted of 7,500 lineal feet of improvements. Pictured is Elton St. under construction with a WPA sign.  

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted a project in Old Lyme, CT entailing "riprapping a section of shore front to preserve roadway from washout."

FERA started and the WPA completed the construction of these two 18-hole golf courses between 1933 and 1940.

In 1935-36 the WPA worked on reconstruction and renovation of the historic 1794 Fairfield Town Hall building, including the addition of wings to both sides of building; basement improvements and utility upgrades; a new cupola to replace an older cupola that had been demolished; and the construction of a circular terrace at the rear of the building. The building presently houses an example of New Deal artwork, relocated from the former Fairfield main post office.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed Fayette Road in Eastford, Connecticut. One source refers to it as "Fayette Wright Road."

The Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut was constructed with Treasury Department funds and completed in 1940. The facility is still in use today.

Multiple municipal improvement projects were conducted in West Hartford in 1937-8 utilizing Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor. One such project involved storm sewer construction along Fern Street.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed Fernow Bridge, which spans the Natchaug River, in Eastport, Connecticut. The bridge was dedicated June. 4, 1934.

In 1933/4 the federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) furnished the labor toward the development of Fernridge Park in West Hartford. A Report of Town Officials from 1934 states: With the aid of ... C. W. A. labor, three additional tennis courts were completed and put to use. Paths from Keeney Avenue and from Whitman Avenue, to the clubhouse were completed. Under the landscape division of the C. W. A., large numbers of trees and shrubs have been planted at this playfield, enhancing the scenic beauty of this park to a great extent. The town's 1935 report cites Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.)...

The Works Progress Administration built a Filtration Plant in Willimantic CT. The exact location and condition of this facility are unknown to the Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration built the Fire and Community House in Plainville CT. Today, the structure houses the Plainville Recreation Department and the Youth Services office.  

The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) constructed a wooden fire lookout tower in Cockaponset State Forest. CTMQ.org: "We soon came upon the remains of an old CCC observation tower. Four large concrete blocks are pretty much all that remains but fifty years ago, day hikers could climb this tower and view… not too much according to Rob. A reservoir or two and a couple bumps of hills, but not much more. It’s really no wonder why no one maintained the tower. Incidentally, the Walk Book map calls this “Fire Tower Remains” but it was never used as a fire tower. Thought you’d like to...

New London received a new fire station in 1939. It replaced a facility damaged during a hurricane the previous year. The Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) supplied a $13,752 grant for the project, whose total cost was $30,792. Construction occurred between Dec. 1938 and Aug. 1939. PWA Docket No. CT X1405

Only the cement foundation remains of a former wooden fire lookout tower that was built by the C.C.C. in Meshomasic State Forest. The structure was located northwest of Midwood Farm Road.

The bridge carrying Fisher Road across Roaring Brook in Glastonbury, Connecticut was constructed by the W.P.A. in 1939.

The WPA was involved in flood repair and relief multiple times in the Connecticut region, including in 1936 and 1938. "The disastrous storm and flood of March 1936 led W.P.A. officials to turn their efforts wherever possible to assistance, relief and rehabilitation programs. The Writers' Project assigned many of its people to collecting information to document the story of the disaster, of people's reactions to it, and of the rehabilitation work. In Hartford a special effort was made, at the Mayor's request, to prepare a history of the flood, but it appears never to have been completed."   (www.cslib.org) "W.P.A. money and labor...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted a project "installing surface drains on Forbes Street, from Willow Brook southerly to a point about 1500 feet south of Silver Lane. About 25 men will be employed for four months."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved 34 streets in Hartford, Connecticut, including Forest Street, as part of a $2.5 million, two-year paving project begun in 1937. The federal government contributed $1 million.

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted the following work at what was then Fort Trumbull: "Improve buildings, grounds, and facilities" Official Project Number: 112‐3‐15‐4 Total project cost: $15,666.00 Sponsor: Treasury Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Fort Trumbull Training Station "Paint interior and exterior of building" Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2019 Total project cost: $652.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved Garden Street in Hartford, Connecticut, between Albany Ave. and Greenfield St., in 1937. Furthermore, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved 34 streets in Hartford, Connecticut, including the stretch of Garden Street from Asylum Avenue north to the CNE railroad tracks, as part of a $2.5 million, two-year paving project begun in 1937. The federal government contributed $1 million. This project also included expanding the paving work referenced above along Garden Street from Greenfield St. to Westland St.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved 34 streets in Hartford, Connecticut, including Gillett Street, as part of a $2.5 million, two-year paving project begun in 1937. The federal government contributed $1 million.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) expanded and improved the Goodwin Park Golf Course in Hartford CT. The WPA extended the golf course to 9 holes. The Goodwin Park Golf Course is still in use today.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed a bath house at Green Fall Pond / in Voluntown, Connecticut. The exact location and status of the facility are presently unknown to Living New Deal.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed the dam at the south end of Green Fall Pond in Voluntown, Connecticut.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed Green Fall Pond Road in Voluntown, Connecticut.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved 34 streets in Hartford, Connecticut, including the 0.6-mile stretch of Greenfield Street from Woodland Street to Garden Street, as part of a $2.5 million, two-year paving project begun in 1937. The federal government contributed $1 million.

This 1935 mural by James Daugherty entitled "The Life and Times of General Israel Putnam" was funded by the WPA's Federal Arts Project. The mural is 9 x 22 feet. It was originally painted for the Greenwich Town Hall but moved to the Hamilton Avenue School in 1940. In 1998, the mural was removed from the school and restored. It now hangs in the Greenwich Public Library. "At a time when Americans needed heroes to promote patriotic feelings eroded by the Depression, an authentic folk hero presented a superlative mural subject. Putnam's legendary exploits and courageous actions presented Daugherty with the opportunity...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) built Greenwood Road.

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted a massive development / improvement program at what is now known as Groton - New London Airport. "Develop landing area at airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐15‐123 Total project cost: $49,684.00 Sponsor: State of Connecticut, Department of Public Works "Develop landing area at airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐15‐123 Total project cost: $161,141.00 Sponsor: State of Connecticut, Department of Public Works "Construct landing strips at airport" Official Project Number: 165‐15‐1057 Total project cost: $23,247.00 Sponsor: Department of Aeronautics, State of Connecticut "Make improvements at airport" Official Project Number: 265‐2‐14‐71 Total project cost: $7,894.00 Sponsor: U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer, Providence

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved 34 streets in Hartford, Connecticut, including Hamilton Street, as part of a $2.5 million, two-year paving project begun in 1937. The federal government contributed $1 million.

The federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) funded labor toward the development of Hammer Park in Branford, CT. The town's Annual Report, 1937 said: "The W. P. A. has assisted in laying out, grading, seeding and planting shrubs and trees on that portion of the Field at the corner of Prospect Street and Church Street so what was a dumping ground that was an eye sore ... has now become a place of beauty ..."

"The shoreline parks: Hammonassett Beach, Sherwood Island and Rocky Neck were all completed during this time period as WPA projects."   (waymarking.com) "Though the park was heavily damaged by the hurricane on September 21, 1938, the park reopened the following summer after extensive restoration by the federal government's Works Progress Administration (WPA)."   (https://connecticutexplored.org) Additionally, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp Chapman undertook "construction of a new entrance road for Hammonasset Beach State Park."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a six-foot arch bridge span on Harding St. in New Britain CT. The bridge was built with WPA labor and funding.

"Hartford-Brainard Airport, located in the city of Hartford, has historically been one of the busiest general aviation airports in the state. In 1921, a 350-acre cow pasture became the chosen site for what has been called the country’s first municipal airport." (CTAirports) The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) contributed dramatically to the airport's development, including the following: "Construct runways, turning circle, curbs, shoulders, catch basins, walks and fences at Brainerd Field." Official Project Number: 165‐1‐15‐117 Total project cost: $560,800.00 Sponsor: City of Hartford

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed two fish ponds at the state hatchery in Burlington, Connecticut.

The Federal Writers' Project wrote: "Whitfield House, on Whitfield St., is one of the earliest stone houses in America and probably the oldest house in Connecticut. ... In 1936, under a Works Progress Administration project, which was directed by J. Frederick Kelly, an authority on early Connecticut architecture, the house was restored as nearly as possible to its original appearance, even to the odd window which old prints show across the southwest corner. Now maintained by the State as a museum, the building houses a varied collection of antiques and curios."

Located just off the Wilbur Cross Parkway, Hamden High School was constructed as a New Deal project with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The P.W.A. supplied a $212,300 grant for the project, whose total cost was $823,508. Construction occurred between Oct. 1934 and Oct. 1935. P.W.A. Docket No. CT 1048