Winthrop Sites

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted a development / improvement program at the former Fort Banks in Winthrop, Mass. "Rehabilitate buildings and improve grounds" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐252 Total project cost: $138,214.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Banks, U.S. Army "Improve buildings and grounds" Official Project Number: 365‐14‐2‐20 Total project cost: $87,654.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Harbor Defenses of Fort Banks, U.S. Army "Improve buildings and grounds" Official Project Number: 365‐14‐2‐6 Total project cost: $85,656.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Harbor Defenses of Boston, Fort Banks, U.S. Army "Improve, reconstruct, and modernize buildings and grounds" Official Project Number: 765‐14‐2‐15 Total project cost: $143,252.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Banks, U.S. Army "Improve buildings, etc. at Forts Banks,...

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at Fort Heath in Winthrop, Mass. Project information: "Improve buildings, etc. at Forts Banks, Heath and Rice Wharf" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐59 Sponsor: War Department

W.P.A. Bulletin, 1937: "Because of WPA and the Winthrop Golf Club the formerly ugly marsh is now a recreational beauty spot. The golf club reclaimed a spot in the centre of the marsh and created a nine-hole course."

W.P.A. Bulletin, 1937: "These are only a few of the many WPA projects in Winthrop which have given material benefits to the town in addition to providing unemployed men and women with work. Winthrop also has had its share of street, sewer and water main projects. Space does not permit mention of the many projects which have been completed and are in progress at Fort Banks."

W.P.A. Bulletin, 1937: "Before work relief began building things in Winthrop, the high school athletic teams were forced to play at Ingleside Park which was partly a swamp. This is also being reclaimed by WPA."

W.P.A. Bulletin, 1937: "At the southern end of the marsh that was in the center of Winthrop, WPA has created a skating area and rendezvous for aquatic sports out of the formerly ugly Lewis Lake. A dump on one side of the lake was removed. Jagged banks have been changed to gentle grassy slopes, topped by walks. The pond has been changed to two small ponds connected by points of land which will be joined by a rustic bridge. A perfect spot for model yacht races, swimming races, a stroll in the sunlight or under a starry, moonlit sky."

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."

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at Rice Wharf in Winthrop, Mass. Project information: "Improve buildings, etc. at Forts Banks, Heath and Rice Wharf" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐14‐59 Sponsor: War Department

W.P.A. Bulletin, 1937: "Another outstanding project in Winthrop is the sea wall being built from the Winthrop Yacht Club to the narrow, sea-girt road which leads to Point Shirley. Here pounding waves had undermined the old-fashioned wall. WPA has built a sloping sea wall which can better break the chop of the waves in front of Shirley street, protecting the street from erosion and the site of the first house built by Governor Winthrop. The Dean Winthrop House, built in 1639 and to which the governor's son. Dean Winthrop, took his bride, is still standing."