Massachusetts Sites

The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer. Sections 102 and 103: "Section 103 is located in Everett and Chelsea and consists of about 3675 linear feet of 11'-3" inside diameter sewer in tunnel, with shafts and other appurtenances. Section 102 is located in Chelsea and consists of about 3670 linear feet of 11'-3" inside diameter sewer in tunnel and about 640 linear feet of 11'-3" by 11'-3" reinforced concrete sewer in open cut. Bids were opened on February 23, 1939 for Section 103 and Section 102 separately and for Sections 103...

The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer. Section 105: "This section is located in Medford and Everett and embraces the construction of about 6500 feet of sewer varying in size from 8'6" to 10'6" and including an inverted siphon about 350 feet long in tunnel under the Malden River, two tunnels at railroad crossings, a tunnel under the Fellsway, and a tunnel under the Revere Beach Parkway. Bids were opened on this section on December 8, 1938. The contract was awarded by the Metropolitan District Commission on December...

The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer: sections 105, 106A, 108, 111, and 112 included work in Medford. Edward M. Matz was awarded the contract for section 106A; C. & R. Construction Company for sections 108 and 112; and V. Barletta Company for sections 105 and 111.

The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer: section 1115B included work in Stoneham. Contractor: C. & R. Construction Company.

The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (a.k.a. Public Works Administration, or PWA) sponsored construction of the North Metropolitan Relief Sewer: sections 112, 113, 114, and 115A included work in Winchester. "North Metropolitan Relief Sewer, Section 113: This work is located in Winchester and includes construction of approximately 4,272 feet of concrete sewer together with a two-pipe 36 inch cast-iron siphon, and a relocation of the Aberjona River adjacent to the Boston & Maine Railroad and directly opposite Wedgemere Station. Most of the work involved open cut construction. However, a tunnel approximately 140 feet long was constructed under Bacon Street because of a...

The North School of Stoneham, Massachusetts was built in 1939 as an elementary school with the assistance of funds provided by the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works. It has been adaptively reused as eleven condominiums.

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers widened Northampton Street ca. 1937.

W.P.A. project description: "The three projects, which were approved and on which work was started late in the year, provide for the reconstruction of: ... Norumbega Road, from River Street to Commonwealth Avenue, Weston, 4,850 linear feet... All these roads will have a width of 30 feet and have a 5-inch bituminous concrete surface on a 12-inch gravel base. Also, an 8-ft. wide, 2-inch bituminous surfaced walk will be constructed adjacent to and for the whole length of each road. Work will include excavation of earth, rock and ledge, installation of drainage systems, filling and grading, loaming and beautification of contiguous areas...

The O'Connell Library building in East Cambridge, Mass. was constructed as a New Deal project with Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The P.W.A. supplied a $22,500 grant for the project, whose total cost was $50,128. Construction occurred between Oct. 1938 and Aug. 1939. PWA Docket No. MA X1453.

Frederick Mulhaupt painted two large pieces for the old Maplewood School in 1934-35. They were later moved to their current location at the O'Maley Middle School. "Native American Life on Cape Ann" is composed of one 6' x 40 panel and two 6' x 6' panels. It was painted in 1934. The 12' x 20' mural "Gloucester Harbor" was painted in 1935 with funds from the WPA Federal Art Project.  

A 4 x 9 foot mural, "Our Daily Bread," was painted by Frederick Stoddard in 1934 with the help of New Deal funds for the old Central Grammar School – now O'Maley Middle School in Gloucester MA. Given the date, the work was almost surely paid for by the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP), which hired unemployed artists in the depth of the Depression.  

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor remodeled and rebuilt O'Neil Park in Quincy.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a field house at O'Rourke Field in Quincy, Mass. Quincy's Historical and Architectural Survey writes: "Other projects elsewhere in the City included ... the field house at O'Rourke Playground ..." The building is still in use today, though likely as a storage facility. Local sources visiting in 2014 state: "the cement stairs leading up to the field house doors exhibit major cracks ... due to the field house's foundation settling over the years as it is located in a low lying area right near Furnace Brook."

WPA project description: "Improvement of the grounds surrounding this Martha's Vineyard community's new school provides a proper setting for the new structure completed recently by WPA workmen. After carefully grading a little more than an acre around the school WPA men set out twelve fir trees which provide a pleasant frame for the new building." The location and status of these facilities is presently unknown to Living New Deal.

What is now Oak Hill Middle School in Newton, MA was constructed with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds in 1936.

Old Colony Ave., between Dorchester Ave. and Mt. Vernon St., in Boston, Mass. underwent reconstruction as part of a Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project.

1939 MDC annual report: "A by-pass and traffic circle were constructed on Old Colony Parkway at Mount Vernon Street and Columbia Circle, Dorchester. Incidental work included the reconstruction of a storm sewer overflow. All work was done under P.W.A. Docket No. Mass. 1512-F, Massachusetts State Project No. D-206"

Reconstruction of Northern Avenue Bridge was undertaken as part of a Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project in 1935. PWA Docket No. MA 9177

In 1938 the W.P.A. improved the grounds of Framingham's Old South Cemetery, located on Winthrop Street. Town Report, 1938: Old South Burial Grounds This cemetery was regraded and walks and drives constructed throughout it. The old broken down wooden fence was replaced with a chain link fence and the stone wall along the front end and rear was rebuilt and repainted.

The W.P.A. conducted restoration and preservation work at the Old State House in Boston, Massachusetts.

F.E.R.A. conducted improvement works to the old town hall building and grounds in Wayland, MA.

The Emergency Relief Administration (E.R.A.) and Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) completely renovated Old Town Hall on Derby Square in Salem, MA.

The Old Windmill in Eastham, Massachusetts, which dates to 1793, was "restored by a Works Progress Administration Project in 1936."

W.P.A. project description: "Blue Hills Headquarters; a 120-foot by 40-foot by 14-foot fieldstone and brick garage with a reinforced concrete slab roof and steel girders and lally columns, was completed at the division's headquarters on Hillside Avenue, Milton." "Operations Yard. This area includes a cluster of utilitarian structures, both historic and non-historic, around a central work area. There are four historic buildings: a maintenance garage, Repair Shop #1, Repair Shop #2, and the Carpenter’s Shop. The first three are constructed of brick and mortar; all have cracked mortar and/or damaged bricks. The fourth building is wood framed and shingled. All were developed...

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) laborers renovated houses on Oread Place in Worcester, Mass. in 1937. WPA Bulletin: Worcester — Taken by legal process through the Land Court for failure of owners to pay real estate taxes, three brick blocks at 19-23-25 Oread Place are being repaired by WPA— will be used to house welfare and soldier's relief recipients.

"Between 1935 and 1940, Massachusetts and the federal government, primarily using Works Project Administration funds, constructed 63 buildings (all but Buildings 102 and the old Williams Hospital have since been demolished) and two, 500-foot (150 m) wide turf runways at Otis Field. The project was the largest WPA project in state history, employing over 600 workmen. In 1938, Governor Charles F. Hurley dedicated Camp Edwards, named after the former commander of the 26th Infantry Division, Major General Clarence Edwards." (Wikipedia)

The Works Progress Administration built sidewalks on Otsego Ave. The plaque embedded in the sidewalk has no date. 

According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, “After the state acquired the land, it was reforested with groves of pines which were planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The CCC also built the first campground sites in the area.”  

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted repair work at Our Island Home in Nantucket. The facility, which is set back from the north/east side of Orange Street, is still in use.

In 1934 F.E.R.A. labor undertook and completed the construction of two sets of concrete steps at the Concord Street Overpass over Worcester Road." Living New Deal believes this project to be no longer extant.

"Pakomet Spring. This area was developed by the CCC in 1936 and 1937 as a roadside pull-off, reflecting the increased presence of automobiles in the reservation during the 1930s. It formerly included guard rails, landscaping, tables, and seats. All that remains is a mortared stone wall flanking the entrance to a U-shaped drive." 1936 Massachusetts Metropolitan District Commission annual report: "The Pakomet Spring parking area was completed early in the season. This development, located on the easterly side of Randolph Avenue, provides an at attractive spot for picnic parties. The work involved consisted of the construction of natural stone entrance walls, suitable...

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers constructed a pedestrian underpass at Park Street and Tremont Street in Boston, Massachusetts. From a W.P.A. Bulletin: Boston's WPA Park Street Subway Project, to relieve congestion in the busy downtown district, is nearing completion. Soon motor traffic will thunder overhead while pedestrians pass safely underground to the subway terminal.

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor constructed a parking lot in downtown Salem, Mass.; since eliminated. WPA Bulletin, 1937: WPA will help answer Salem's parking problem with the construction of a public parking lot, on Front and New Derby Streets, which will accommodate 100 cars. Mayor Bates, sponsor of the project, estimates that the space will accommodate a total weekly capacity of 21,200 cars allowing each car one and one-half hour parking time. Merchants of the business district look for increased sales on completion of the lot which will be graded, drained, set with curbing, macadamized and marked with white lines.  

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded the labor to construct sidewalks and curbing along Peirce St. in Middleborough, Mass. in 1936.

Pendergast Preventorium, once a tuberculosis clinic, is no longer open to the public. The old facility grounds feature marked stone New Deal walls.

The CCC assisted in the development of this state forest.

Now part of Fisherman's Wharf, New Bedford's former Pier 4 was renovated and enlarged by Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) laborers. WPA Bulletin: "Pier 4." New Bedford, where fish valued at $2,000,000 is landed annually is being repaired and enlarged by WPA. The old pier, 200 feet long and 95 feet wide, will be extended 60 additional feet. Rotted, worm-eaten wooden piles will removed and replaced with concrete piles reinforced with steel rods. The wooden deck of the pier is being removed and will be replaced with concrete deck slabs a new asphalt deck coating.

"The most ambitious efforts of the early 20th century at Pine Grove were undertaken by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s. Newspaper articles indicate that the WPA undertook a number of projects at Pine Grove: building concrete toolboxes (to provide a place to keep tools near active work areas), stripping and grading new burial areas, laying drains and gutters." "The Fieldstone Perimeter Wall built by the Works Progress Administration extends along the entire perimeter of the 152-acre cemetery, except for the section along Boston Street on either side of the main gate ... and the section along Gallagher Park...

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) reconstructed Pine Street in Marshfield, Massachusetts. WPA Bulletin: Pine Street, Marshfield, has been graded, straightened and widened by WPA. Four miles of Farm-to-Market roads have been improved in this town.  

The CCC worked to develop Pittsfield State Forest during the 1930s. From BerkshireWeb.com: "In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted large tracts of spruce and red pine on the former grazing land. They also constructed roads, dams, and buildings. The land, which had remained in private ownership, was then sold to the state. Many of the forest's present buildings date from the CCC era, including the ski lodge with its enormous stone fireplace." From the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs: "The renovation of this administration building is a victory in the effort to preserve the rustic CCC...