Ashland Sites

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted drainage work along a waterway known as Blake's Brook in Ashland, Mass. Living New Deal cannot determine the location of this waterway.

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the Ashland firehouse, including exterior painting in 1935 and roof repairs in 1936.

The federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed a bridge for Fountain Street in Ashland, Mass.; most likely at the reservoir, in 1937. The bridge appears to be no longer extant.

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) provided assistance and conducted improvement work at the public library in Ashland, Massachusetts's in 1934. "The assistance of the E.R.A. enabled us to have a good deal of almost necessary work done which we could not have paid for from the regular appropriation. The Library is much improved in consequence." Some E.R.A. workers even rebound books for the library.

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed drains on Main St. and Esty St. Ashland, Mass.

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

The historic Ashland post office houses an example of New Deal artwork: an oil painting titled "The Railroad Comes to Town," which hangs in the lobby. The work, which was commissioned by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts, was painted by Saul Berman in 1941.

The Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.), Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.), and Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work along roads in Ashland, Massachusetts. Work included the "relocation of Manning Road," no longer extant; and Sunset Rd. in 1936. State highways and farm-to-market roads were improved by the W.P.A. in the town as well.

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the former high school and grade school building in Ashland, MA, located along Central Street. Living New Deal believes this facility to be what is now known as the Pittaway School.

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) constructed sidewalks in Ashland, Massachusetts's in 1935, including along West Union St. and the no-longer-extant Granite St.

Federal labor (likely from the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.)) demolished the obsolete South School in Ashland, Mass.

Multiple New Deal agencies worked to develop Ashland, Massachusetts's Stone Park. The Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) constructed toilet facilities and bleachers in 1934. The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) continued work in 1935. Federally funded labor also improved the park's drainage and conducted other repairs.

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) and Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed a swimming pool for Ashland, starting in 1935. The pool was built along what was then municipal land along Granite Street, which no longer exists. A late-1800s map of the town suggests that the pool might have been located either along what is now Raymond Marcheti St. or at the approximate location of what is now David Mindess School. WPA Bulletin, 1937: Water, water everywhere but not a place to swim ... a paradoxical predicament provoking to Ashland residents will be solved next season when the Ashland WPA Swimming Pool...

The Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) and/or Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) made repairs and other improvements to Ashland, Massachusetts's town hall in 1934. "The interior of the Town Hall has been renovated extensively, and several changes made that have been a great improvement in the building." The E.R.A. repaired/replaced the building's heating plant in 1934. Concrete stairs and walks were installed at the building soon after, and the W.P.A. painted the building's exterior in 1937.

Ashland's water system was greatly expanded during the 1930s as a result of federal assistance. Work included: High St.: The federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) extended the water main system along High Street in 1933. The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed wells there in 1935. Union St.: The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) extended the water system along Union St., E. Union St., and W. Union St. starting in 1935. Metropolitan Ave. (W.P.A., started 1935) Olive St. (W.P.A., started 1935) Cedar St. (W.P.A., 1937) Tri St. and Eliot St. (W.P.A., 1937) Prospect St. (W.P.A., 1937)

The federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted drainage work along Waushakum Ave. in 1935.

The federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at Ashland's Wildwood Cemetery, beginning in 1935.

The federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted repair work along Winter St. in 1935, and extended the water system there as well.