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Projects in Des Moines

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Callanan Middle School Murals – Des Moines IA

From the school website: “In the 1930s the famous WPA Murals, under the direction of Grant Wood, were painted for the walls of Callanan. The school was fortunate to be chosen to have two such artistic treasures to beautify the… read more

Project type: Art Works, Murals
Agency: Federal Arts Project (FAP), Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Des Moines Federal Courthouse: Rhodes Mural – Des Moines IA

The Treasury Section of Fine Arts commissioned “the Wheelwright” painted by artist Daniel Rhodes in 1942 for the Clayton Branch Post Office in St. Louis, Missouri. The mural was removed from the post office in 1971 and relocated to the Des… read more

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

Des Moines Fire Department – Des Moines IA

Des Moines, Iowa Fire Department

"This is a modern fire station which includes not only all the necessary facilities for the fighting but also provisions for training, recreation, housing of personnel, and maintenance of all equipment. The building is located in the business district of… read more

Project type: Civic Facilities, Firehouses, Military and Public Safety
Agency: Public Works Administration (PWA)

Glendale Cemetery Improvements – Des Moines IA

“In 1938 and 1939 a Works Progress Administration project made several improvements” to Des Moines’s Glendale Cemetery, “which included improving curbing and the six miles of winding roads through the hilly property and making a two-acre lake which continues to… read more

Project type: Roads, bridges, and tunnels, Cemeteries, Civic Facilities, Infrastructure and Utilities
Agency: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Iowa State Fairgrounds – Des Moines IA

The WPA undertook extensive construction and improvements at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in the mid 1930s. The Iowa State Fair information page describes the history of the site and the extent of the work carried out by the WPA: “Extensive improvements… read more

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

Polk County Administration Building Extension – Des Moines IA

This large 1910 Treasury Department-funded building, located at Walnut St. and 2nd Ave. in downtown Des Moines, underwent an extension during the New Deal. At the time the structure was a federal building and housed post office operations. The building… read more

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

Sylvan Theater Historic District – Des Moines IA

“Built in a public park in 1931, the Sylvan Theater Historic District reflects a movement that took place throughout the United States in the 1930s. It was a movement to expand the facilities of parks beyond the passive enjoyment of… read more

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

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