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—constructed dikes along the Connecticut River in many Massachusetts communities, including West Springfield. A WPA Bulletin refers to this… read more
The historic post office building in West Springfield, Massachusetts was constructed in 1935 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses an example of New Deal artwork, is still in service.
The post office contains a 1938 Section of Fine Arts plaster relief by Walker Hancock entitled “New England Post Rider.” Hancock also created work for the Ariel Rios Bldg, Washington, DC and Soldier’s Memorial, St. Louis, MO.
Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor constructed sewers in West Springfield, Mass. WPA Bulletin, 1937: Over in West Springfield … WPA is installing two miles of sanitary sewers which are attracting considerable attention. No complaints have been registered for the job… read more
W.P.A. Bulletin, 1937: “[T]he Memorial Athletic Field in the rear of King’s Highway School is rapidly nearing completion. Last April the field was rather ugly, idle land. Now there is a quarter-mile cinder track, circling a seeded oval, portable bleachers,… read more
W.P.A. Bulletin, 1937: “[N]ew projects will build two huge dikes in Springfield and its sister community, West Springfield, at a cost to the government of $304,000. At its peak, next spring, the projects will employ about 500. … The West… read more
Check out our latest map and guide to the work of the New Deal in Washington, D.C. It includes 500 New Deal sites in the District alone, highlighting 34 notable sites, and includes an inset map of the area around the National Mall which can be used for self-guided walking tours.
Take a look at our previous guides, equally comprehensive, covering key New Deal sites in San Francisco and New York City.
