Kentucky Sites

The federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) undertook improvement work at the Laurel County Courthouse in London, Kentucky: "Wiring, Painting, Roofing, Stairways, Flooring, and Window Repairs," in addition to "Extensive General Repairs and Painting."

"Another distinctive and ambitious project was at Pine Mountain, the site of the annual Mountain Laurel Festival. CCC corpsmen excavated an amphitheater from the hillside and constructed new seats and facilities for the thousands of visitors who made the annual spring pilgrimage to see the governor crown a new queen. More than $500,000 of CCC money went into this park alone." "The Laurel Cove Amphitheater is part of Pine Mountain State Resort Park. This incredible venue has been the home of the Mountain Laurel Coronation for 90 years, the world famous Book of Job drama, spectacular weddings, and the Laurel Cove...

The Works Progress Administration built the Lewisport High School in Lewisport, Hancock County, KY in 1938. The Lewisport High School was located on 2nd Street in Lewisport, KY from 1938-2018. In January 2018 it was demolished to be replaced with a new library.

The WPA built the National Guard Armory in Lexington in 1941. Strong horizontal lines define the 2nd floor, front façade. The design is almost identical to that of the Richmond, Kentucky WPA armory. It is now a police fitness center and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"The Livermore Bridge is a bridge that carries US-431 over the Green River, near Livermore in McLean County, Kentucky where it crosses over two rivers (the Green and Rough Rivers), and passes over a separate county; the only known such occurrence in the world... The Livermore Bridge is a through truss bridge at 37°29'03" N, 87°08'05" W, whose largest span is 319.8 feet, to the total of 1,643.6 feet long, a deck width of 23.9 feet, and a vertical clearance above the deck of 17.7 feet. It was built by the Works Progress Administration of the Great Depression era."

"The rapid growth of the city of Louisville, population 307,745 in 1930, necessitated additional facilities for the fire department. A grant was secured from the PWA with which this central fire station was built, as well as a hospital annex, an extension to the sewerage system, and some park recreational improvements. The total cost of all of these projects was $1,665,230. The fire station is three stories and a basement in height, approximately 90 by 120 feet in plan, and has a volume of 564,322 cubic feet. In the basement is a swimming pool, 30 by 60 feet. The first floor...

From contributor Charles Swaney: "Modern deco design in this 2-story building that presently houses the Communication Arts Center of Trinity High School.  Trees obscure the front façade, but the prominent vertical elements surrounding the entry are still evident as is the rounded portico above the entry." The building is now the Trinity High School Communication Arts Center.

Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the Magnolia Elementary School Gymnasium. The architect of record was Harry E. Boyle & Co. Architects and Engineers of Evansville, Indiana. PWA Docket No. KY-1375-F. The structure is currently part of a complex called “The Old School Market.” It houses a professional office space and a restaurant. The gym is an entertainment venue used for events such as weddings, entertainment, family reunions, and other community events. The Gym was originally built for the Magnolia High School. Later, the school became an Elementary School. It was decommissioned in 2006.  It’s been privately owned since then. The gym...

The federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) widened Main Street in Corbin, Kentucky.

Mammoth Cave National Park in central Kentucky encompasses portions of Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system known in the world. The National Park Service website describes CCC work on the park: “…the Civilian Conservation Corps arrived on the scene to begin developing the property for use as a national park. The roads were little more than wagon ruts, impassable in wet weather. The trails within the cave remained rough, the same flagstone paths Stephen Bishop and others laid out almost a hundred years before. No communications were available; there was no housing; the water system was crippled. Four camps of CCC workers...

In 1934, Frank Long completed two murals, entitled "Labor" and "Recreation," for the browsing room of the University of Kentucky library, with funding from the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP). The above photo depicts "Labor," in situ, in 1939. From contributor Charles Swaney: "The murals consist of 2 ten foot tall panels, oil on canvas, that are in arched alcoves. The thrust of both murals is upwards and towards the center of the murals.  There is a strong component of rounded upwards that is complimentary for both of them.  They are presently in the special collections center of the library,...

The federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) undertook improvement work (e.g., painting) at the McCreary County Courthouse in Whitley City, Kentucky.

"The Dr. Ephraim McDowell House, also known as McDowell House, was a home of medical doctor Ephraim McDowell. The home was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1966... The House was built in three stages. A brick ell was constructed 1792-1795. Dr. McDowell purchased it in late 1802. He added the front, clapboard portion in 1803-1804 and the small brick office to the left of the back porch in 1820. The house was remodeled at the same time... The Kentucky Medical Association bought the house in 1935 and deeded it to the state of Kentucky, who had it restored by Works Progress...

The since-demolished McLean Stadium of the University of Kentucky was one of many structures that was either constructed or improved with the assistance of federal New Deal funds. "Although unable to secure funding for expanded seating," Eric Moyen writes, the university's Athletic Council "did secure the city of Lexington as a 'project sponsor' for the construction of a press box and running track at the football stadium. The WPA approved a grant in excess of $20,000 for construction, and Lexington paid the remaining $7,000." The site today is known as Stoll Field, the name by which McLean Stadium had been known from...

The federal Works Progresss Administration (WPA) constructed what is now Middlesboro Bell County Airport; the airport was completed in 1936.

The 1935-1937 Morgan County High School was constructed of native stone and timber in West Liberty, KY. The construction was begun as a KERA project, but completed by the Works Progress Administration. It served as the high school until the 1940s when it became the middle school. The school was closed in 1989. The building was renovated with a $1 million grant in 1993-1994 and is two-story with basement. It is used for Morgan County offices currently. Mrs. Roosevelt, wife of the President, spoke at the building dedication.

Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped develop Morganfield Legion Park in Morganfield, Kentucky.  The WPA relief workers built a recreation hall (known locally as the "Legion Hut"); a pool and pool house; tennis courts; playgrounds; and a football stadium and field (for Morganfield High School).  These were built in 1936. The city of Morganfield, the local American Legion, and the public school district all sponsored the project.  We do not know when the park was originally set aside or what, if any, improvements had been made before the WPA arrived. Much of the WPA work at the park is still in place. The...

In 1938, the National Youth Administration (NYA) constructed the Murray Woman’s Club Clubhouse. It is made of limestone and was built in the Tudor Revival architectural style. During World War II, “The Red Cross set up hospital rooms in the clubhouse for training nurses aids. Members worked with the Red Cross rolling bandages for hospitals and in making kits for soldiers overseas and dinners and dances for soldiers were also hosted by the club” (Murray Ledger & Times, 2017). Today, the Murray Woman’s Club Clubhouse is a Kentucky Landmark, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is rented out...

In 1941, the WPA completed work on a National Guard armory designed by Edd Gregg for Williamsburg. The building is a classic modern deco building with strong vertical elements surrounding the entry that is capped with an eagle in flight. From the Kentucky National Guard History eMuseum: The old armory in Carlisle was constructed circa 1941 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The armory was completed with funds from the Armory Corporation of Kentucky. The building is located in downtown Carlisle on Main Street, and is a grey one-story poured concrete building with an attached, barrel-vaulted drill hall and a basement. The...

In 1941, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) completed work on a National Guard armory designed by Edd Gregg. The building is a poured, 2-story modern Deco style building with both horizontal and vertical elements on the front façade. It has been repurposed for use by the local YMCA. A barrel vault over the gymnasium is visible at the rear.

In 1942, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) completed work on a National Guard armory designed by Edd Gregg for Williamsburg. The building is a 2-story poured concrete building with a modern deco style. From the Kentucky National Guard History eMuseum: The first armory was built by the Works Progress Administration in 1942, and was located close to downtown on Bridge Street. The old Williamsburg Armory was designed by Louisville architect Edd R. Gregg, who designed six other armories in Kentucky in the same style. The armory is a two-story poured concrete building with attached maintenance garage/drill hall. Currently, the old armory is...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed Kentucky's Natural Bridge State Park during the 1930s. The CCC built trails, shelters and stairways.

The Works Progress Administration built additions and made improvements to the Rash Stadium in Owensboro. The current home side was built in 1940 as one of the WPA programs in Owensboro, KY. In 1940, the WPA appropriated $30,926 for the construction of additions to the Rash Stadium. An additional $10,016 was approved in July 1941 for additional improvements carried out by the WPA. The improvements consisted of, "a drainage system, a running track, repairing the seats in the old stadium, and a concrete wall round the football field." (Brown Heflin 1984)

This 380 foot wire suspension bridge over the Big Sandy River in Pikeville Kentucky was built by the WPA from 1936-1940. "The design of this bridge is unique, however, because although the bridge itself is simple - the towers are not. The beautiful rough-cut sandstone towers are impressive. Of the 37 wire suspension bridges proposed by the WPA for construction in southeast Kentucky in the late 1930s, only the design of the Pauley Bridge included these sandstone towers. A WPA project begun in 1936, the bridge was completed and opened to traffic in 1940. In 2000, it was closed to vehicular traffic...

"Pine Mountain State Resort Park is a park located in Bell County, Kentucky, United States. The park opened in 1924 as Kentucky's first state park. Each spring, the park hosts the annual Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, as it has since the festival's inception in 1931. When Pine Mountain State Resort Park was established in 1926, it was named Cumberland State Park. But the name was changed in 1938 in order to avoid confusion with the newly formed Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. During the park's early years, there was little development. Then in 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps began constructing the...

The historic post office in Anchorage, Kentucky was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds in 1940. The building, which houses an example of new Deal artwork, is still in service.

The historic post office in Carlisle, Kentucky was constructed in 1941 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building is still in service.

Covington, Kentucky's main post office was constructed with federal funds. The building opened in 1941 and is still in use today.

The post office in Fleminsburg was completed in 1941 with funds provided by the Treasury Department. It is also the site of Lucile Blanch's 1943 mural, "Crossing to the Battle of Blue Licks," painted with funds provided by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts and viewable in the lobby.

The stately branch post office in Fort Thomas, Kentucky was constructed with federal funding and opened in 1940. The building houses an example of New Deal artwork in its lobby.

The historic post office in Greenville, Kentucky was constructed with Treasury Department funds ca. 1938. The building remains in use as such.

The handsome and historic post office in Hardinsburg, Kentucky was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds in 1941. The building, which houses an example of new Deal artwork, is still in service.

The historic post office in Hickman, Kentucky was constructed in 1939 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses an example of New Deal artwork, is still in service.

The historic post office in Hodgenville, Kentucky was constructed in 1937 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses an example of New Deal artwork, is still in service.

The historic post office in Irvine, Kentucky was constructed in 1938 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building is still in service.

The historic post office in Jenkins, Kentucky was constructed in 1941 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which housed New Deal artwork, is still in service.

The historic post office in Louisa, Kentucky was constructed in 1938 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building is still in service.

The historic post office in Morganfield, Kentucky was completed in 1937 with funds provided by the Treasury Department. The building, which houses an example of New Deal artwork, is still in service.

The post office in Pineville was completed in 1935 with funds provided by the Treasury Department. It is also the site of Edward Fern's 1942 mural, "Kentucky Mountain Mail En Route," completed with funds provided by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts.

The post office in Princeton, KY was completed with New Deal funds in 1936.