Indiana Sites

Constructed with Public Works Administration (PWA) funds in 1936, the 5th Avenue Bridge spanned Pigeon Creek, south of Diamond Ave, though it is no longer extant. It was a modified parker truss bridge, polygonal top chords, lacks cross diagonals in the center two bays, instead the laterals in these two bays form a diamond, cement deck with floor beams and stringers and bottom lateral bracing, sidewalk decks cantilevered out on both sides.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed the bleachers at Allen Field in Washington, Indiana.

From April 1939 until May 1942, 277 men worked for the WPA at the Angel Mounds Site near Evansville, Indiana under the direction of Glenn A. Black, archaeologist for the Indiana Historical Society. During the project over 2 million artifacts were recovered from the site. The artifacts that were recovered from the WPA excavations as well as the documentary archives and photographs are currently located on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus in the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology.

In 1938, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners applied to the Public Works Administration (PWA) for funding to expand the Angela Boulevard Bridge, a critical link for motorists traveling to the Notre Dame stadium for football games. After receiving $45,000 and starting construction, however, faulty work in the original bridge necessitated a new structure, contractor, and additional funding. In 1939, the commissioners appealed again to the PWA and were awarded $76,500, with the county paying the rest of the $152,000 total cost. Remnants of the first bridge were destroyed with explosives that shook the entire neighborhood, but that was...

The Argos Izaak Walton League clubhouse and attendant (former) fish hatchery were constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1935 to 1937. The fish hatchery in Argos, Indiana had "a capacity of 375,000 fingerlings annually."The facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "This building of glacial stone and the surrounding 17 acres of fishing ponds and structures are a tribute to natural aesthetics, an idea important to the League who made this building their clubhouse. The Argos Izaak Walton League was established in 1929 in response to concern for the conservation of natural resources, fish and wildlife...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) made improvements to the Attica Armory in Attica IN. The armory is presently vacant. The structure is designed in the Art Deco style that is characteristic of New Deal era projects.  The DOD WPA Inventory lists 3 projects involving the Attica armory, "armory improvements" and "repair, alter, and construct armories."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community building in Farmersburg, Indiana. Here and in Shelburn "combined gymnasiums and auditoriums are being erected as additions to school buildings to provide both educational and recreational facilities." Work was completed by 1936. The location and status of the structure is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a community building in Shelburn, Indiana. Here and in Farmersburg "combined gymnasiums and auditoriums are being erected as additions to school buildings to provide both educational and recreational facilities." Work was completed by 1936. The location and status of the structure is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed 7 new fish rearing ponds at Avoca State Fish Hatchery.

National Youth Administration (NYA) was stationed at Avoca State Fish Hatchery from 1935 until 1942. The improvements to Avoca State Fish Hatchery was one of the longest NYA projects undertaken in the state. The NYA built a shelter house with limestone walls and a limestone fireplace. Besides the shelter house, they constructed trails which were enhanced with a stone entrance, steps, overlook, and bridge.

Originally (1915) school for African American children, the Banneker Community Center - Bloomington IN was used for Works Progress Administration (WPA) after-school and recreation programs. The sidewalk and retaining wall around the building was built by the WPA in 1938.

The National Youth Administration built the Banneker Community Center Gymnasium in Bloomington IN. The gymnasium is now part of a Bloomington Parks and Recreation community center, in what was originally a segregated school, built in 1915, for African-American children.

Improvements to this 11-acre site was completed in 1936, with funds and labor provided by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).    

Built in 1936-37, occupied for school use on September 7, 1937. In 1875, the school district built a wood frame schoolhouse near the center of town. In 1903, the board built a masonry building to replace the frame school. In 1935, a fire destroyed the school. The building was insured for $35,000, but the estimated loss was $100.000. The new school served the entire township, since Indiana officials had been encouraging public school consolidation since the 1890s. Public Works Administration awarded a grant for $57, 348 to fill the gap. Additionally, the town sold bonds to fund the school. The...

This appproximately 7-acre Lake impounding log earth dam, located in Yellowwood State Forest, was complete in 1939 with funds provided by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

Quoins at corners-smooth limestone also on buttresses. Ticket windows along facade, 1 story 6 windows, flat roof-bonded cement overhang. All windows filled with cement block. Facade: 2 pairs of double doors w/transom. Large open space, wooden stairs to bleachers. Walls Oolitic Limestone-rough cut. Constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) between 1938 and 1939.

Annexes to the original federal building and courthouse dating to 1905 were completed in 1938. The entire structure was renamed for the late politician Birch Bayh in 2003. From the visitor's guide to the complex: "Originally half its current size, the Court House was expanded in 1938, with the east and west wings of the building extended and connected by a new north corridor. After the expansion, the building filled the entire block, rose to five stories on the north side, and incorporated two portals at the northeast and northwest corners to allow access for postal vehicles." Thus, the New Deal construction...

The Birch Bayh Federal Building annex (the rear portion of the building, toward E. New York St.) features two vehicular entrances—one at the northeast and one at the northwest corner of the building. They are capped by identical limestone friezes, titled "Distribution of the Mail." Visitors' Guide: "In 1939, Herron School of Art instructor David K. Rubins carved the limestone spandrels and keystones over the driveway entrance arches on the 1938 North Addition. He carved them in place. Mr. Rubins is also known for creating the statue of Young Abe Lincoln, which sits on the Indiana State House lawn, and the bronze cherub...

"Mail, Transportation and Delivery" and "Early Present Day Indianapolis Life" are two sets of murals painted by Grant Christian in 1935-6 with funding from the Treasury Relief Art Project. The artwork, which is not accessible to the general public, consists of multiple vertical panels. The medium is oil on canvas. U.S. Courts Visitors' Guide: "In 1935, Grant Christian, a 24-year old graduate of the Herron School of Art in Indianapolis, won a competition run by the Treasury Relief Art Project, a Depression-era program, to produce murals for the Court House. Located in the southwest corner of the third floor, the panels on...

About 8.6 acres, renovated by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), completed in 1942 . Bridgeton Historic District is located along Bridgeton's Mains Street and encompasses the town's center of commerce, industry, civic activity. Collom's General Store (56005) and Bridgeton Country Store (56025) are notable examples of mid to late 19th century rural Indiana commercial architecture. Bridgeton Masonic Lodge (56012) is representative of higher style commercial architecture. The first floor of the Italianate building originally houses a drug store. The Bridgeton Mill (56014) is an outstanding example of early industry and is the oldest continually operated grist mill in Indiana. The present...

The historic Broad Ripple Station post office in Indianapolis was constructed in 1940-41 with Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses an example of New Deal artwork, is still in service.

"Suburban Street" is a 1942 Section of Fine Arts mural entitled "Suburban Street" by Alan Tompkins. The size of the mural is 11'9" x 5'2" and the medium is oil on canvas. The work is installed in Indianapolis's historic Broad Ripple Station post office.

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) laborers improved Brown County State Park from 1933 - 1934. The CWA laborers built shelters and worked on establishing trails during their brief stay at Brown County State Park. In 1933 two Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps were established. The two camps were comprised of World War I veterans. The CCC laborers built gatehouses, shelters, trails, an exhibit shelter, saddle barns, amphitheater, and more. The CCC camps were disbanded in 1941.

CCC laborers completed the park amphitheater in 1936. The amphitheater was built into a wooded hillside near the Abe Martin Lodge, as a place for programs and entertainment. The seats, stage, and steps were all made from native stone.

In 1934 a vast archery hunting ground was established in the eastern part of the Brown County State Park. In 1935 CCC laborers completed the Archery (Hunters') Shelter. The shelter is classified as parks rustic state park.

The site was originally the camp of Emergency Conservation Work (ECW) laborers. In 1934 it became the home of CCC Co. 1557, which was comprised of World War I veterans. The marker commemorates CCC laborer and reads "It was in this area that members of the CCC 1557 were stationed while completing many early park construction projects. Foundations of some of the building may still be visible." The site of the CCC camp is now used as a picnic grove.

Hesitation Point was completed by CCC laborers in 1935. The vista sign explains view (height, atmosphere). Hesitation Point is a good example of vistas cleared by CCC workers.

CCC laborers completed the Lower Shelter in 1936. The shelter is two stories with multiple fire places. The style of the shelter is classified as parks rustic.

Using a variety of native materials, the CCC built gatehouses designed to appeal to the eye and draw in visitors with hints of the delights of nature within the park. The north gatehouse is one of two at Brown County State Park. The gatehouse was completed by CCC laborers in 1935. The style of the gatehouse is classified as parks rustic.

The CCC laborers completed Ogle lake between 1934 and 1935. The workers also created an earth dam and spillway.

The Ogle Lake Shelter was completed by CCC laborers in 1935. The shelter overlooks Ogle lake and the earth dam to the south. The style of the shelter is classified as parks rustic.

CCC laborers completed the oven shelter in 1940. Inside the stone shelter is a two-sided stone fireplace. The style of the shelter is classified as parks rustic.

Several oven shelters were built throughout Brown County State Park between 1934 and 1940 but only a few survived. The oven and drinking fountains are in the vicinity of Lower Shelter. The style of the shelter is classified as parks rustic.

The Weed Patch Shelter, also commonly known as Peach Tree Shelter, was completed by CCC laborers in 1935. The style of the shelter is classified as parks rustic.

The building was originally called Vermin Shelter, today it is known as the recreational building. Originally the building was used to educate people about local animals. The shelter hosted various small predatory animals (hence the name "vermin shelter") for public viewing. The shelter also helped keep individuals away from nesting areas. The structure was completed by CCC laborers in 1934. The style of the recreational building is parks rustic.

CCC workers completed the Brown County State Park saddle barn in 1936. It is the largest saddle barn of any Indiana state park, with stalls for 25 horses. The saddle barn is classified as Parks Rustic.

The shelter house was completed by CCC laborers in 1935. The shelter functions as a store.

Strahl Shelter was renovated by CCC laborers in 1935. The style of the shelter is classified as parks rustic.

The Upper Shelter House was completed  by CCC laborers in 1935. CCC workers also constructed a drinking fountain near the shelter. The style of the shelter is classified as parks rustic.

Using a variety of native materials, the CCC built gatehouses designed to appeal to the eye and draw in visitors with hints of the delights of nature within the park. The west gatehouse is one of two at Brown County State Park. It was completed by CCC laborers in 1935. The style of the gatehouse is classified as parks rustic.