Massachusetts Sites

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed a wall along Mill Street at a location presently unknown to Living New Deal.

The Mill Street Bridge in Maynard, Massachusetts was falling apart before the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) completely rebuilt it in 1937. The three-arch stone bridge spans the Assabet River. The W.P.A. also widened, straightened, and resurfaced Mill Street that year.

W.P.A. Bulletin, 1937: "At the north end of the former swamp, WPA raised the level a half dozen feet and built William A. Miller Athletic Field in honor of one of Winthrop's sons killed in action in France during the world war. Clay from Winthrop Highlands and sand from Point Shirley formed a firm basis for Miller Field in the days of CWA and ERA when Howard Shattuck, superintendent of the Winthrop water department, doubled in brass, so to speak, and directed work relief activities without pay in addition to his regular job as water department superintendent."

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers developed Holyoke's Mitchell Field ca. 1937.

From the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs: “The administration building and four log cabins built by the CCC at Mohawk Trail were featured in Albert Good’s 1938 book, Park and Recreation Structures, as outstanding examples of CCC rustic design and are still used today.”

The Work Projects Administration (W.P.A.) undertook construction and development work at what was then Moore Army Airfield, a part of Fort Devens development. "Clear small brush and prepare for construction of a landing field" Official Project Number: 165‐14‐4057 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army "Improve air field" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐528 Total project cost: $624,000.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army "Improve airport" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐628 Total project cost: $514,000.00 Sponsor: War Department "Develop landing field" Official Project Number: 565‐14‐1‐32 Total project cost: $80,989.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Devens, U.S. Army

The construction / paving of Moose Hill Street in Sharon, Massachusetts was a WPA project. The final cost of the project was about $28,500 per mile.

The community Moth Inspector for the town of Oxford, Massachusetts received aid from multiple New Deal agencies beginning in 1933. The Civil Works Administration (CWA), Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), and Works Progress Administration (WPA) each provided funding for the endeavor during the 1930s.

The CCC conducted extensive work on Mount Greylock State Reservation between 1933 and 1942. From the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs: “The Mount Greylock Summit, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contains an exceptional collection of CCC resources. Most notable is Bascom Lodge, as well as the associated outbuildings, roads, trails and a particularly well designed parking area.” From Wikipedia: The greatest period of development on Mount Greylock occurred in the 1930s. ... The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) 107th Company, MA camp SP-7, from 1933-1941 made extensive improvements on roads, trails, scenic vistas, firebreaks, forest health improvement,...

WPA Bulletin, Aug. 1936: A new Mt. Hood Golf Course Clubhouse has been constructed by WPA. The building, one story and attic, is fire- proof throughout, has a stone exterior, asbestos shingle roof, contains a brick fireplace and is finished inside with natural wood, wood finish tile and has some flagstone floors. "The park and golf course were completed by the WPA (Works Progress Administration) in 1937." (MtHoodPA.com)

According to the Wikipedia page for Mount Tom, “In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps assisted with the construction of reservation structures and park roads; their work also remains visible today.”

The federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) furnished the cost of labor for the cleaning of the two reservoirs for the Town of Hatfield: the Mountain Street and Running Gutter Reservoirs. Town Report: "With the help of WPA funds, we have done some work at the reservoir this summer. The small reservoir can be cleaned in one day, with two men; while it took fifteen men there for two weeks."

The WPA worked to improve the water supply of the town of Stoughton, Mass. Muddy Pond is located within neighboring Canton. "The Muddy Pond projects which has been going on now for over a year to improve the town’s water supply has just received an additional $17,500 from the Federal Government for the completion of the task, which may be complete sometime in December . There are approximately 40 men at work on that project." Aerial imagery suggests that Muddy Pond may effectively no longer exist.

Municipal sewers and drains were installed in Millbury, Massachusetts with Federal Emergency Relief Act funds in 1933. 282 Millbury locals were given employment in 1933 as a result of the federal E.R.A. E.R.A.-sponsored drains were installed on West St., Massasoit Rd., Greenwood and McCracken, and Sycamore St.

WPA Bulletin, 1937: "Amesbury now has a secondary municipal auditorium, auxiliary town hall and community center with the completion of a WPA project which remodeled the old fire headquarters building for that purpose. The building on School Street was erected in 1829, served as the first schoolhouse in the settlement and was later made into a fire station, serving that purpose until the new fire headquarters building was dedicated in 1927."

This recreational complex inclusive of ball fields, grandstands, a playground and tennis courts was constructed by the WPA. Completed in 1937, the project extended from today’s Bullens Field to Franklin Street and was comprised of three levels. The first level would contain a “first-class” baseball diamond, a football field, a running track with jumping and pole vault pits, two large concrete grandstands (nicely trimmed in art deco), a field house with lockers and showers. The second level, today known as Jachym Field (named after a Massachusetts Hall of Fame High School Coach Joe Jachym a star basketball and baseball player...

In late 1938 the WPA alloted $23,509 for a "program of repairing and improving highways throughout the town , principally in hurricane-affected areas."

Multiple federal New Deal agencies, particularly the Works Progress Administration (WPA), assisted with the construction of municipal roads in Oxford, Mass. and North Oxford, Mass. during the 1930s. The Report of the Selectman for the town for 1935 states: "... the extension of black surfaced roads, a greater mileage of which has been constructed than in any previous year due to the fact that much road work in the form of stone filled sections and gravelling has been done through the agencies of the C.W.A., E.R.A. and W.P.A. relief programs."

"The water storage tank for the town water system, located on the hill at the end of Glenwood Avenue, was inadequate for the growing community. Engineers recommended a 1,023,000-gallon tank on Main Street near Lakeview Road. The Work Pro Administration agreed to cover 45% of the cost and the town was quick to respond. Work commenced on October 19, 1938 and the standpipe was placed in service on June 24, 1939. The original standpipe on Glenwood Avenue has since been removed."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built sidewalks on Munroe St. in Newburyport MA.

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers developed recreation improvements at Greenfield's Green River Swimming and Recreation Area and Murphy Park, during the 1930s. WPA Bulletin, 1936: Children of Greenfield have benefited by the WPA construction of a new bath house and other improvements at the Greenfield Swimming Pool. Tennis courts and a soft ball diamond were built in the adjoining public park property. Bulletin, 1937: Greenfield— The crack of bats and the swish of girls' skipping ropes are ushering in the sport season of the 33 acre WPA Recreation Center at the northern end of the city. In three or four months' time the full...

“As a result of colonial wood utilization and wildfires, most of the original forest was cleared and burnt over by the mid-1800s. The Massachusetts Game Sanctuary Association initiated reforestation efforts in 1912 by planting 30,000 white pines around Barrett Pond and East Head Reservoir.  In 1916, the State Forest Commission purchased the 5,700-acre Game Sanctuary Association property, creating Myles Standish State Forest (MSSF).  By the end of the 1920s, the state had purchased the majority of the land we now know as MSSF.  Today, MSSF has approximately 12,404 acres and is the largest public recreation area in southeastern Massachusetts. “After acquiring...

Descriptions of W.P.A. projects conducted in 1937: "Nahant Beach Reservation; the large automobile parking space adjacent to the boulevard was improved and enlarged by the completion of a project started in 1936. The area was improved and made safer for the use of automobiles by the installation of rip-rap shore protection and filling and grading of the parking space. About 3,200 cubic yards of heavy stone was placed for shore protection and 12,500 cubic yards of earth and rock were excavated and placed in regrading the auto park, the usable area of which is now about 70,000 square yards. Nahant Beach Reservation;...

"The hotel at Nantasket Beach was renovated and painted by the Civil Works Administration in 1934, "floors reconditioned, furniture cleaned and varnished and the outside of building painted. Labor was paid for from Federal Funds, but a large portion of the materials was furnished by the state."  

In response to heavy flooding after a severe storm in 1936, Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor—under the direction of U.S. Army engineers—straightened and deepened the channel of the Nashua River in Fitchburg.

Nathaniel Morton Elementary School in Plymouth, Massachusetts was constructed as the town's high school, part of a New Deal project. The federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) supplied a sizable grant of $138,150 for the project, whose total cost was $327,666. Construction began at the end of Dec. 1935 and was completed Jan. 1937. The building bears a massive 'cornerstone' atop the main entrance that reads 1936. P.W.A. Docket No. MA W1050

Gardner, Massachusetts's former city hall building was converted into as constructed with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The building is still in service.into an armory with assistance from the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.).

A colonial-style junior-senior high school was constructed in Orleans, Massachusetts with the assistance of PWA funds. Currently (2014) in use as Nauset Middle School.

The former Squantum Naval Reserve Aviation Base / Naval Air Station was improved and expanded in part during the 1930s with federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) funds and labor. W.P.A. project details: "Install telephone systems" Official Project Number: 165‐14‐4005 Total project cost: $16,633.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Erect building" Official Project Number: 265‐14‐4004 Total project cost: $14,027.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Demolish building and salvage material, and rough grade area" Official Project Number: 265‐14‐4010 Total project cost: $82,161.00 Sponsor: U.S. Naval Reserve, Mayor, City of Quincy "Enlarge flying field and improve drainage" Official Project Number: 265‐14‐4013 Total project cost: $132,165.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Aviation Base, U.S. Naval Reserve "Construct ditches and grade field" Official...

The W.P.A. developed the former Naval Ammunition Depot Annex, in Hingham / Cohasset / Scituate, Mass. Project details: "Construct and improve naval facilities" Official Project Number: 265‐3‐14‐196 Total project cost: $1,742,856.00 Sponsor: Commandant, 1st Naval District, U.S. Navy

The W.P.A. conducted substantial development work at the former Naval Ammunition Depot in Hingham, Mass. Project details: "Improvements at Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐426 Total project cost: $176,352.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Improvements at Naval Ammunition Depot" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐61 Total project cost: $15,712.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Make general improvements to buildings, facilities, and grounds" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐868 Total project cost: $214,954.00 Sponsor: Commandant, 1st Naval District, U.S. Navy "Make general improvements to buildings, grounds, and facilities" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐148 Total project cost: $236,585.00 Sponsor: Commandant, 1st Naval District, U.S. Navy "Improve ammunition depot" Official Project Number: 165‐3‐14‐504 Total project cost: $376,234.00 Sponsor: Commandant, 1st Naval District, U.S....

The W.P.A. conducted improvement work at the former Naval Hospital Boston / Chelsea Naval Hospital in Chelsea, Mass. The area "is located along the Mystic River, west of the Northeast Expressway, in Chelsea. While the buildings are now privately owned, they can be viewed from the street. The Commanding Officer's Quarters, Naval Hospital building and ordnance buildings are all located on Commandant's Way, and the Marine Hospital building is located on Captains Row." W.P.A. project details: "Improvements at Chelsea Naval Hospital" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐110 Total project cost: $119,913.00 Sponsor: U.S. Navy Department "Improvements at Chelsea Naval Hospital" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐266 Total project cost: $34,278.00 Sponsor: U.S....

The Works Progress Administration had an active presence in New Bedford, providing funds for massive construction and city improvement efforts. Suggestions for an airfield near New Bedford first appear in documents from 1936, proposing a route “via Fall River and New Bedford to some centrally located point on Cape Cod. This route would be used mainly for summer traffic.” However, formal discussions do not appear until March of 1939, where it was proposed as a Works Project Administration project. Work on the New Bedford airfields officially began on April 9, 1940. It was dedicated a little over two years later,...

The Federal Arts Project (FAP) funded the Newton (now Newton North) High School Murals in Newton MA. Painted by Maurice Compris, the mural triptych depicts "Education," "Commerce," and "Industry." It was dedicated as a memorial to Leighton Brown, class of 1915, who died in World War I. Originally displayed in Newton High School library, moved to Newton North cafeteria, and now in the new Newton North building.

Newton, Massachusetts's Senior Center was originally constructed as the Newtonville branch library. The building was constructed with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA contributed $50,040 of the project's total $102,011 cost. The Town of Newton's official site writes: "In December of 1939, on a cold winter night, an excited group of some 400 residents of Newton gathered in the newly constructed building at the corner of Walnut Street and Highland Avenue to witness the dedication of a new branch library in Newtonville. The new library was located where the Newton Club, a social organization, had been. ... After...

Newtowne Court is a 294 units apartment complex located in the town of Cambridge, MA. There are eight three-story walk-up buildings; most entrances serve six to nine apartments. Includes 6 units for households with vision impairments. This was one of 50 slum clearance or low income housing development projects financed by the Public Works Administration. The cost was $2,500,000.

From the Friends of Nickerson State Park website: “the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC) constructed the first roads, camping sites, parking and picnic areas near Flax Pond. CCC workers also planted 88,000 white pine hemlock and spruce trees.” Hathitrust.org: "Extensive developments were undertaken by the Civilian Conservation Corps before the park was opened to the public in 1937. Roads were laid out, forest trails cleared and marked, wells dug, shelters erected, tent floors laid, and parking areas cleared."

The Work Projects Administration (W.P.A.) reconstructed Framingham's Nipmuc Road in 1940. Town Report, 1940: Portions of Nipmuc Road between Wood Avenue and Row Street had settled materially because of the poor foundation conditions existing there and the sewer, drain and water pipes in the same went down with the street surface. These pipes were all relaid on wood pile and concrete slab foundations, and the street was rebuilt and restored to its original grade.

The W.P.A. conducted repair and improvement work on numerous civic facilities in Newton, Massachusetts, including at the former Nonantum fire station.

North Cemetery in Wayland, Mass. was improved by Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) labor. Work included reconstruction of the entrance and rotten stump removal.