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  • Ashmont St. Reconstruction - Boston MA
    Ashmont St. in Boston, Mass. underwent reconstruction as part of a Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project.
  • Athenaeum Hall Improvements - Framingham MA
    Courtesy the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.), Athenaeum Hall in Framingham was "repaired and painted, both inside and out. New plastering was installed where necessary..." The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) installed a new heating system, water pipes, and electrical wiring in 1937, re-shingling the roof as well.
  • Athletic Field - Hudson MA
    Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor constructed an athletic field in Hudson. WPA Bulletin: The town of Hudson recently dedicated its new WPA Athletic Field during ceremonies featured by a night football game between the Hudson and Methuen High School teams. Hudson, rated the underdog, showed its appreciation of the new athletic plant by trouncing its opponent 14 to and the gathering of several thousand spectators who filled the WPA-built stands were most enthusiastic. Carl Rogers, Executive Assistant to Administrator McDonough, and Harry V. Madden, Chairman of the Hudson Board of Selectmen, were speakers during the exercises. Flagpoles at the eastern and...
  • Athletic Field Development- Brookfield MA
    Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers worked to develop an athletic field in Brookfield, Massachusetts. From a W.P.A. Bulletin: Swish of tennis tackets, the bite of spiked running shoes, and the smart crack of ash wood meeting hoorsehide will soon sound from this Community Athletic Field, Brookfield. A WPA project now in progress involves repair and enlargement of the field, and construction of additional courts. The location and status of the facility is unknown to Living New Deal.
  • Athletic Fields - Provincetown MA
    The WPA provided labor for the construction of athletic fields in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The exact location of these recreation areas is not known to Living New Deal.
  • Atkinson Common Tower - Newburyport MA
    Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) co0nstructed a stately stone observation tower in Newburyport, Mass. WPA Bulletin: In the center of Atkinson Park, Newburyport, WPA workmen have constructed a fifty-foot, field-stone, observation tower. Surrounding grounds have been landscaped with grass, trees and shrubs.
  • Atlantic Street - Gloucester MA
    Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed farm-to-market roads, including Atlantic Street, in Gloucester, Mass.
  • Auburndale Fire Station (former) Repairs - Newton MA
    The W.P.A. conducted repair and improvement work on numerous civic facilities in Newton, Massachusetts, including at the since-demolished Auburndale fire station.
  • Babson Reservoir Water Tank (former) - Gloucester MA
    WPA Bulletin, 1937: "Up in Gloucester four WPA painters are specks in the sky as they swing in tiny bossun's chairs from the top of the 250-foot Babson Reservoir water tank which they are painting. Such a height should make a sea gull unbalanced but these men don't mind it a bit. "Safer than walking on the street" says Harrison Boutwell, one of the WPA'ers, an ex-navy man who was given a medal last summer for saving a child from death after it had fallen into Gloucester harbor and was held by the muddy bottom." Living New Deal believes the water...
  • Bakers Island Lighthouse Wharf - Salem MA
    The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) completed a project in 1937 that involved "building of a new wharf bridging and steps at the Baker's Island lighthouse," a project intended to improve safety at the lighthouse for both visitors and the keeper. The W.P.A. replaced 82-year-old rotting timbers at the wharf. Workers were transported via daily water taxi from Salem.
  • Balch St. Paving - Beverly MA
    WPA Bulletin, 1937: "Mayor George E. McLean of Beverly recently announced the completion of one of the longest paving projects in WPA on Balch street from Cabot to McKay streets, a distance of a bout 3000 feet."
  • Ballfield - Middleborough MA
    WPA Bulletin, 1937: "The sharp crack of wood meeting horsehide will dedicate the completion of a baseball diamond being built by WPA on land bequeathed the city by Thomas S. Pierce."
  • Banigan City School (demolished) Improvements - Millville MA
    The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) and/or Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) funded the labor for and materials for improvements to the since-demolished Banigan City School building in Millville, Massachusetts. Improvements included painting, for which the federal government also paid for the project's materials. While the school no longer remains, the building's foundation can still be found at what is known as the Banigan City Schoolyard, which is adjacent to the senior center on the south side of Prospect St.
  • Barnstable Airport Improvements - Hyannis MA
    "In 1940, leading up to World War II, the federal WPA program improved the airport for possible use by our armed forces." WPA project details: "Construct and extend runways" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐14‐308 Total project cost: $563,018.00 Sponsor: Board of Selectmen "Enlarge Hyannis Airport" Official Project Number: 665‐14‐2‐1260 Total project cost: $17,047.00 Sponsor: War Department
  • Bascom Lodge - Lanesborough MA
    Located at the peak of Mount Greylock in the Northwestern corner of Massachusetts, Bascom Lodge has been a retreat for hikers and travelers for nearly 80 years. The current structure was built in the 1930s to replace the original lodge which burned down in the late 20s. Bascom Lodge was designed in the craftsman style by Joseph McArthur Vance, an architect from the neighboring city of Pittsfield, Massachusetts who designed several notable local buildings including the Colonial Theatre and the Mahaiwe Theatre. The lodge was constructed by the CCC beginning around 1933 and was opened to the public in 1937....
  • Bass River Bridge - Yarmouth to Dennis MA
    Cape Cod's Bass River Bridge was constructed as a Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project. Completed in 1935, the bridge carries Route 28 (a.k.a. Main Street) from South Yarmouth to West Dennis. P.W.A. Project No. 5624.
  • Bathing Pool - Rockland MA
    The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) developed a bathing pool at "Reed Park" in Rockland, Mass., in 1937. WPA Bulletin: "Under construction is a wading pool with a sandy bottom. Shrubbery is being planted. The pond shore has been cleared and sanded, steps and platforms have been built and the adjacent land beautified." The exact location of this project is not presently known to Living New Deal.
  • Beach Street Improvements - Manchester MA
    Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers conducted erosion control and other improvement work along Beach Street in Manchester, Mass. WPA Bulletin: Protection from damaging tides is given by this Manchester WPA riprap wall constructed along Beach Street where commercial fishermen and other boatmen use the wall landing. The entire surrounding area was also graded and beautified by WPA.
  • Beartown State Forest Ski Areas - Monterey MA
    From the New England Lost Ski Areas Project: “Beartown Ski Area was a classic, and somewhat long lived CCC area that was originally built as a Ski Train Destination. It was also one of the largest areas to close in Massachusetts (820' drop)- only Brodie Mountain had a larger one (~1250'). With three rope tows and about 10 trails at its heyday, it was quite the happening place... Beartown's genesis begins in 1935, when the CCC began clearing trails and slopes at this area.”  
  • Beaver Dam Brook Improvements - Framingham MA
    In 1935 the F.E.R.A. and W.P.A. conducted erosion and hazard-removal work along Beaver Dam Brook in Framingham, Mass. "The brook was cleaned out, shaped and the bushes cut on the banks from the Ashland line to the B. &. A. Railroad near Waverly Street, a distance of about 3.1 miles."
  • Bellevue Hill Park Improvements - Boston MA
    W.P.A. project description: 1938 Massachusetts Metropolitan District Commission annual report: "Blue Hills Division, in Boston; this project provided for extensive beautification work of road construction, sidewalk construction, grading of roadside slopes, drainage, etc. in Stony Brook Reservation, Bellevue Hill Section, ..."
  • Bellevue Pond Improvements - Medford MA
    The W.P.A. conducted the following work at what is now just Bellevue Pond: 1937 MDC annual report: "Bellevue Ponds, Medford; work was started in the late fall of 1937 on a project for improvement and development, as a recreational area, of the Upper and Lower Bellevue Pond and surrounding land on South Border Road near the Roosevelt Circle. The ponds will be dredged and cleaned, gravel placed on banks, rubble masonry spillways constructed, the surrounding woodland thinned and improved and gravel walks will be built." 1938 report: "South Border Road, Middlesex Fells Reservation, Medford; the development and beautification of Upper and Lower Bellevue Ponds on South Border Road was...
  • Belmont St. Reconstruction - Worcester MA
    Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) reconstructed Belmont Street in Worcester, Massachusetts. WPA Bulletin: WPA in Worcester removed electric car rails on Belmont Street from Shrewsbury Street to Lake Bridge and is installing safety islands in the center of the highway.  
  • Bemis Pond Reservoir - Chicopee MA
    WPA Bulletin, 1937: "A 12-acre pond is included on the land. WPA workmen have completed construction of a dike to hold in this water and in the winter the spot can be used for winter sport purposes."
  • Bennington St. Reconstructions - Boston MA
    Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted the following work in East Boston, Massachusetts. WPA Bulletin: Bennington Street, East Boston, main artery between Sumner Tunnel and Revere and Winthrop has been resurfaced with asphalt by WPA. Street car reservations have been eliminated and there now is a clear road surface of 60 feet between curbs.
  • Berkeley Street Bridge Reconstruction - Boston MA
    Berkeley Street Bridge Over Boston & Albany Railroad. "The city requested a grant from the Government for bridge alterations as follows: Altering and strengthening Boylston Street Bridge; rebuilding Berkeley Street Bridge and rebuilding Albany Street Bridge. The total cost of this work is approximately $265,000 ..." P.W.A. Docket No. Mass. 1584-F.
  • Blake's Brook Drainage - Ashland MA
    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.
  • Blakemore St. Bridge Repairs - Boston MA
    A Boston Public Works Department report cited Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) labor as conducting the following work: "Major repairs were made to Blakemore Street Bridge, in order to increase the load capacity from 8 to 15 tons."
  • Blue Hill River Road - Milton MA
    W.P.A. project description: "Blue Hill River Road and Ponkapoag Trail, Milton; early in 1939 work will be begun on additional improvements at the recreational area adjacent to Hoosicwhisick Pond. The project provides for the construction of 3,250 linear feet of roadway 12-ft. wide, two parking spaces of 17,000 square yards, clearing and grubbing of 145,000 square yards of wooded land and incidental work of grading, laying drains, removing trees, etc."
  • Blue Hills Parkway Sidewalks - Milton MA
    Description of a W.P.A. project: "Blue Hills Parkway; in the early spring of 1939, work will be started on the construction of a bituminous concrete walk from Kahler Avenue to Canton Avenue. The major items of work are the construction of 6,900 linear feet of 6-ft. wide bituminous concrete walk, regrading, loaming and seeding of 920 linear feet of 9-ft. wide planting space and 4,600 linear feet of 5-ft. wide planting space."
  • Blue Hills Reservation - Milton MA
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Civil Works Administration (CWA), and Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted extensive development work at Massachusetts's Blue Hills Reservation. Massachusetts Metropolitan District Commission annual reports detail the work of the CCC over time. 1933 report: "In the latter part of June a Civilian Conservation Camp was established by the National Park Service for Emergency Conservation Work for State Parks in the Blue Hills Reservation near Randolph Avenue. The camp was in charge of U. S. Army Officers. The enlisted men in the camp varied from 212 to 145. The work of the men in the reservation has been handled by a...
  • Boston Army Base (former) - Boston MA
    Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted drastic improvement work at the South Boston Army Base in Boston, Massachusetts. WPA Bulletin: At the Army Base, South Boston, WPA employed more than 1000 men repairing and altering buildings, warehouses, wharves, roads, grounds and water and electric systems. The site of the old army base is now part of Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park. Per the DoD Heritage Assessment cited below: W.P.A. project information: "Boston Army Base" "Improve U.S. Maritime Commission buildings" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐155 Total project cost: $163,750.00 Sponsor: War Department "Improve and rehabilitate buildings and utilities" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐177 Total project cost: $96,755.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Boston Army Base, U.S....
  • Boston Navy Yard (former) Development - Boston MA
    The W.P.A. conducted substantial improvement and development work at the then-Boston Navy Yard, which was located southeast of Chelsea Street in Charlestown. The details—including description, Official Project Numbers, total costs, and sponsors—of more than two dozen W.P.A. projects undertaken at the Navy Yard can be found in the DoD Heritage Assessment cited below. Projects included buildings, the grounds, roads, and utilities at the installation.
  • Bourne Bridge - Bourne MA
    The Bourne Bridge across the Cape Cod canal was built for the US Army Corps of Engineers, with funding from the Public Works Administration (PWA). It was part of a very large project to improve the canal and add three bridges across it; the PWA allotment was $6,138,000 for the entire project.  (Short & Stanley-Brown 1939) The project began in 1933 and the bridge opened in 1935. The contractor was American Bridge Company of New York, New York and the engineering was done by Fay, Spofford, and Thorndike of Boston, Massachusetts (historicbridges.com) The Bourne Bridge won the American Institute of Steel Construction's Class "A" Award...
  • Bowditch Field - Framingham MA
    Sometimes referred to as the Union Avenue Athletic Field, "Bowditch Field is the town's main athletic facility. It is located on Union Avenue midway between Downtown and Framingham Center and was the main athletic facility for the town. It houses a large multi-purpose football stadium that included permanent bleachers on both sides of the field. There is still a baseball field, tennis courts, a track and field practice area, and the headquarters of the town Parks Department. Bowditch, along with Butterworth and Winch Parks, were all built during the Great Depression of the 1930s as WPA projects. It underwent a...
  • Bowles-Airport (demolished) Development - Agawam MA
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA), in conjunction with the War Department, developed a "municipal airport" in Agawam, Massachusetts. Living New Deal believes that the airport in question is most likely Bowles-Agawam Airport, a facility with a fascinating history that involved multiple openings, layouts, and closures. WPA project details: "Improve municipal airport" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐14‐539 Total project cost: $427,950.00 Sponsor: War Department
  • Boyce Street School Retaining Walls - Auburn MA
    The Civil Works Administration built perimeter rock and concrete walls around the Boyce Street School, a public elementary school. Currently, the site is a public park and playground.
  • Boylston Street Bridge Reconstruction - Boston MA
    Boylston Street Bridge Over Boston & Albany Railroad. "The city requested a grant from the Government for bridge alterations as follows: Altering and strengthening Boylston Street Bridge; rebuilding Berkeley Street Bridge and rebuilding Albany Street Bridge. The total cost of this work is approximately $265,000 ..." P.W.A. Docket No. Mass. 1584-F.
  • Breakheart Reservation - Saugus MA
    The CCC conducted extensive work on Breakheart Reservation to turn it into a public park. From the Friends of Breakheart Reservation website: “undreds of men lived and worked here, paid $30 a month, out of which they kept $5 and sent the rest home to their families. It was the CCC who helped develop this land into a recreational area with bridle paths, trails, and picnic areas.” From Wikipedia: "In 1934 the executors for Johnson and Clough sold the Breakheart Hill Forest to the Metropolitan District Commission for upwards of $40,000. The MDC then turned the land over to the Civilian...
  • Breakheart Reservation - Saugus MA
    The Civilian Coservation Corps (C.C.C.) was active at the Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, Mass. 1934 Metropolitan District Commission annual report: "Under Chapter 338, Acts of 1934, the Commission were authorized to purchase about 650 acres of land in Saugus and Wakefield, adjacent to the Lynn Fells Parkway, near the junction of the Newburyport Turnpike. This area, which has been named Breakheart Reservation, will be developed into one of the most attractive recreation parks in the Metropolitan District. Application has been made for establishing a Civilian Conservation Camp by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior." 1936 report: "About 3,000 man hours...
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