Maine Sites

Built by the Greenville 160th CCC company from a side camp in the tiny village of Shirley.

The Portland Department of Public Works rebuilt the sewer on Leland Street in Portland as part of a C.W.A Project No. 10-GG.

In 1873, the Legislature granted permission to the cities of Lewiston and Auburn to take water from Wilson Pond (later renamed Lake Auburn). In 1880, the pump house to supply water to the city was built. By 1933/35 the annual address by the mayor mentioned that the condition of the pump was resulting in the danger of loss of water for the city. In 1934, a FERA project allowed for the painting of the interior of the pump station. In the 1937 town report, the Mayor's address noted “The modernization of the Pumping Station, with Federal assistance, was by far the largest...

Built to replace the former library that shared an 1895 building with the town hall. "By the early 1930s, the Town Hall location was too small. Even though these were the years of the Depression, plans began for a new library. Adelaide Pearson, who had moved to Blue Hill in 1928, took on the formidable task. She was described as “a small woman who got things done” and had a vision for a library that was an integral part of the community, serving more than as a place to store and retrieve books. To fulfill that dream, she organized a fundraising campaign...

The 1933 town report mention a C. W. A. Project for the town library, a beautiful classic brick structure built in 1888. "The assistance for approximately twelve weeks of Miss Frances Busse and Miss Doris McMahan made it possible to accomplish some necessary work for which outside aid has been needed for some time. The first project was the moving of the card catalog into a larger cabinet, the old one being outgrown, and in a dilapidated state. As the cards were put into the new case any errors in filing were corrected. The catalog of juvenile books still remains in the...

A 1939 municipal report detailed extensive New Deal work in the area, including: "During the summer of 1939 the exterior of the public library was cleaned and painted at no labor cost to the city, the work being done by the NYA and relief workers. While this work was in progress the old entrance door was replaced with a new door of the same design, but equipped with hardware of a design more in keeping with the building. Bulkheads were repaired, a new step was installed at the rear entrance and the roof was repaired at this time also. Settees were...

Several New Deal Agencies performed improvement work for the Livermore Falls School in Livermore Falls, between 1933 and 1940. The school was replaced in 1968 and abandoned in 2011 when Jay and Livermore Falls consolidated their school systems. 1933 "The CWA program which was started early this winter presented an opportunity to get some work done on the High School grounds. This will no doubt result in a great improvement in the appearance of this property and therefore be a real asset to the town." 1934 "Report of the School Committee The fiscal year ending February 1, 1935 was quite unusual in the experience of our schools....

The U.S. military had a sizable footprint on Maine's Long Island, and the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the site. Project information: "Clean areas at Peaks Island and Long Island Military Reservation" Official Project Number: 165‐2‐11‐122 Total project cost: $9,603.00

The Lord Bridge is a 92 foot steel and concrete stringer bridge that carries the Loggin Rd. over Marsh Stream. It was one of 26 bridges badly damaged or destroyed by a 500 year flood in March 1936. A state highway commission report notes that the reconstruction of these bridges were U.S. Works Program Flood Relief projects and were handled under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Public Roads, U.S. Department of Agriculture. The design is standard for Maine State bridges of the era and was resurfaced recently in 2019. The concrete posts show signs of wear.

"The Public Works Administration funded the construction of buildings for Federal, State, and local government. Portland was granted 45 percent of the cost of a new boiler house, heating plant, laundry, and additional housing for the nurses at the city home and hospital." The City Home and hospital refers to todays Barron Center "The origins of today’s Barron Center date back to the early 1800s when the City of Portland established an “Alms House” on Portland Street. Its purpose was for the care of the City’s poor, elderly and mentally disabled. By 1870 the Alms House was replaced with the Greely...

Many useful things were done during the New Deal in this coastal community whose population in 1930 was 2,135, including work on several local schools. The 1934 town report describes: Federal assistance for milk distribution in the schools. The report also describes how: "The Federal Emergency Relief Administration aided greatly in improving our school buildings and grounds. The Spofford building was completely redecorated, desks repaired and varnished and other minor repairs made. The Duck Cove building was painted inside and outside and the roof shingled. All of the desks at the Luman Warren building were varnished. The garage built in the basement of...

A December 1935 article in Bangor Daily News reported that "The Department of Agriculture announced today presidential approval of five Maine grade crossing elimination projects involving $396,922 of the state's $1,425,861 quota for that purpose. The projects were submitted by the state highway commission. ON CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS Oxford county, at Oxford on Federal-aid highway route 23, Relocate highway. Federal funds $98,684." At some point, Federal Highway 23 was changed to State Route 26. The track is former Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad/Grand Trunk Railway which was acquired by Canadian National in 1920 after bankruptcy. The right of way is currently leased by St....

"The Maine State Aquarium is located on the water in beautiful West Boothbay Harbor, Maine, the aquarium is operated by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR). This educational facility was built in 1993 along with the state's new fisheries research station." The original hatchery was built by the US government in 1904 for the purposes of raising Cod and Lobsters. In 1938, the P.W.A. awarded a $7,898 grant for improvements and repairs which were completed in 1939.

From Joseph Conforti's Creating Portland: "The Public Works Administration constructed a number of staff residences and dormitories on the campus of the existing Maritime Commission hospital, which was completed in 1859." From Joseph Conforti's Creating Portland: "The Public Works Administration funded the construction of buildings for federal, state, and local  government... Other projects in Portland included a number of staff residences and dormitories at the U.S. Maritime Commission Hospital at Martin's Point" (2007, p. 278). From the National Register of Historic Places nomination form, 1974: "Portland's Marine Hospital is a rare surviving example of a series of such buildings erected during the...

"A dirt road through eighteen miles of wilderness between and Oquossoc had been visualized by business men of the section for many years, and the need and feasibility of the road had been presented to the Highway Commission as early as 1930 and their favorable reaction received. With the start of the CWA program in November, 1933, the municipal officers of Rumford, Mexico, Roxbury and Byron presented to the CWA Administrator the idea of building this road as a joint CWA project of these towns. The project received the approval of the administrator primarily because it presented an opportunity to...

In 1933, the Portland Water District moved its meter shop from its Casco Street office in Portland office to its main facility on Douglass Street. The Portland Water District was able to complete the new meter shop with C. W. A. (Civil Works Administration) funds made available by the Federal Government under its plan to relieve the unemployment situation by granting funds to public agencies so that they could complete projects approved by the Federal Relief Authorities.

The Middle Bridge is 296 foot Warren (Riveted) Through Truss bridge that carries Route 197 (Patterson Road) over the Eastern River in Dresden Maine. The Middle Bridge was completed in 1936 to replace a previous bridge after the Flood of 1936. The previous bridge was a wooden stringer bridge supported on stacked stone abutments and timber cribbing. The bridge included a wooden king post truss drawbridge. The bridge was located just north of the previous structure and diverted the roadway to higher ground. The bridge’s elevation was raised up to nearly 130’. Substantial roadway approaches were graded to meet the new bridge’s...

The Middle Intervale School was one of several schools that were improved with Civil Works Administration (CWA) funds in Bethel. The work consisted of painting the interior and exterior of the building, and the labor was paid for the most part with CWA funds. The CWA expenditure was $1236.00 for all school improvements in Bethel. The exact location and condition of this facility are unknown to the Living New Deal. Excerpt from the Annual Reports of the Officers of the Town of Bethel: "1933 Superintendent of Schools Through the funds furnished by the Civil Works Administration milk has been provided each school day to meet...

"Millinocket Municipal Airport is operated by the Town of Millinocket. Located on Medway Road, the airport has been in existence since the 1930's when it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the W.P.A. The airport has two runways, a main terminal, 3 municipally owned hangers, 3 privately owned hangers and 13 tie-downs." Under MERA it received a 2400 x 110 graded cinder runway and a 2000 x 100 graded cinder runway. The town selectman report in 1937 remarked that ninety men were employed and work was progressing satisfactorily. $ 29,066.08 had been spent by 1937 on the construction."   (https://www.millinocket.org) W.P.A. project...

The historic U.S. Border Inspection Station at Milltown International Bridge in Calais, Maine was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The Neo-Classical facility was completed in January 1939. The facility was altered and later replaced in 2014.

In this small village of 600 (1930 population) in Penobscot County the New Deal performed minor work. The 1933-34 town report mentions an unspecified C.W.A. project, of which the town share was less than $100. The 1934-35 town report lists an E.R.A. road repair project, of which the town share was $277 and the federal contribution was $1,000. The project employed 7 people. The 1938-39 town report has a request to the W.P.A. for assistance in Blister Rust Control efforts. The 1940-41 town report has a request for the P.W.A. to grade the yard at the Village schoolhouse. "The school lunches have been supplemented by...

This manufacturing city on the Androscoggin River received Federal assistance for various projects, between 1933 and 1942. In 1933, part of the $281,433 spent by the Civil Works Administration in this city of 34,948 (1930 census), was assistance to the public library: "Miss Doris Linehan has done valuable work repairing books and filing documents employed as a federal CWA assistant." Report of the Health Officer, Robert J. Wiseman, Jr., M.D. CHILD HEALTH EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM—The Child Health Emergency Relief Program was made possible thru an order of the Federal Government, with the cooperation o f the local physicians, five nurses employed thru the Civil...

"Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge is a northern treasure in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It consists of nearly 30,000 acres of federally protected lands in northeastern coastal Maine. The refuge's landscape is varied, with rolling hills, large ledge outcroppings, streams, lakes, bogs, and marshes. The diversity of forests and wetlands provides habitat for over 225 species of birds, endangered species, resident wildlife and rare plants. A northern hardwood forest of aspen, maple, birch, spruce and fir dominates the upland. Scattered stands of majestic white pine are common. The Edmunds Division boasts several miles of rocky shoreline where tidal fluctuations of...

The Morse Bridge is a 285-foot steel through arch bridge over the Androscoggin River on ME 108 Bridge Street in Rumford. Although constructed by the city and state in 1935, a year later in March 1936, was moved off its foundation by the results of a 500 year flood. A 1936 State Highway Commission Annual Report lists 26 bridges that were U.S. Works Program Flood Relief projects and were handled under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Public Roads, U.S. Department of Agriculture. A sizable concrete retaining wall and riverbed cover flanks the bridge on the downtown island along River...

A 1939 municipal report detailed extensive New Deal work in the area, including: "During the past year the wood and metal trim of the Civic Centre building was given one coat of paint. The interior walls were washed by the NYA in cooperation with one of the state dependents who makes his residence in the city. Minor repair work was carried on and an effort made to prevent actual deterioration of the building. In the near future a second coat of paint must be given the exterior and the interior walls must be painted. Stokers should be installed to feed the...

An Independent Reporter article from the 1930s reported that an Emergency Relief Administration crew was nearing completion of a job at the local municipal building: "By the close of the present week the Municipal building will lose some of its untidy appearance which has been a natural result of the work undertaken by an ERA crew to paint, varnish and generally renovate the building. Painters stagings and other equipment will be out of most of the offices by then and possibly the corridors for the work has advanced at a good speed and much of the task already completed. Offices which have...

The annual municipal report from 1935 reported on extensive E.R.A. activity in Ashland: "Since May 1, 1934 the Town of Ashland has received approximately $10,000.00 in the form of Federal Emergency Relief Funds. This money has enabled the town to work between fifteen and twenty-five men on a part time basis. Efforts have consistently been made to get approval for worth while projects. A few of the things accomplished with these funds are listed below: 1. Construction of approximately one mile of rock drain. 2. Cleaning up town dumps at Ashland and Sheridan. 3. Assisting park commission in cleaning up Community park. 4. Provide labor...

The Lewiston Evening Journal reported that by 1935, a combination of the CWA, FERA, and ERA had completed numerous work projects in Auburn Maine: A two mile hiking trail along the Little Androscoggin River called the Baker Mill Trail was started. An athletic field was built at the Walton Elementary School along with shrubs and landscaping. The interiors of the Webster Grammar school, Webster Jr. High, Lake Street school, & Washburn school were painted. The roof was repainted at the Chamberlain school. At Edward Little High School, the windows were replaced. The roof of the city building was repaired, floors refinished, & both the interior and...

"Some work was found through federal programs, such as the Civil Works Administration, with employment for some 200 people in local projects. For example, the upgrading of Kelley Field and the conversion of the Goddard Pond area into a playground offered some employment. Additional improvements to the road system as increasing automobile traffic demanded more access and more space also provided jobs. Vine Street was widened to provide a four-lane approach to the Carlton Bridge. A new road was constructed from Cook’s Corner to Bath in 1938, following the path of King’s Turnpike, a toll road built by William King...

New Deal agencies conducted extensive improvements in and around the towns of Bristol and South Bristol, as recorded in the Annual Report of the Municipal Officers of the Town of Bristol Maine. 1933 CWA Road work in Walpole and Round Pond Town share: $4,988.78 CWA: $5,000 “The towns of Bristol and South Bristol were allotted $6000.00 of the total of $29,202.00 to be expended in Lincoln County on roads, by the Federal Government in its first Reconstruction Program. This was one of the six projects approved in the County and was built with Federal money, under the supervision of the State Highway Commission and...

Many useful things were done in this coastal community whose population in 1930 was 2,135. The 1934 town report mentions E.R.A. work on the fire station, and the 1936 town report of the Fire Chief requests appropriations in order to finish work started by the E.R.A. The identity of this fire station is unknown to the Living New Deal, but it does not appear to be the station in use now. The 1935 town report mentions an unspecified E.R.A. project for labor and supplies costing $1,030. In the 1936 town report 18 men are mentioned in connection with a W.P.A. road project. No....

The annual March 1933 to March 1934 town report notes: "REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT We were fortunate to get $700.00 C. W. A. money to lay a cement floor in the hose house and build seven fire dams." Rec’d from State, C. W. A. Drainage project, $91.44 15 employed REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS "Your school officials have organized and carried out one C. W. A. School Project under which during the last three months 14 class rooms in the different schools have been thoroughly renovated on the inside. Another project has placed several inches of gravel over the greater part of...

A municipal report from 1934 describes early New Deal work in Houlton: R.F.C. work included a High School lot project: "Mr. Brown approved the High School lot project for Houlton, and an allowance of $3,000 per month to carry on the work, the work to begin May 1st, 1933... The labor for filling, grading, landscaping, tree cutting and tree surgery on the High School lot kept some 100 men in two crews per week on half time employment for nine weeks. Besides the High School lot, the Chairman personally supervised the building of six small houses which were occupied when built by those unable...

Municipal reports for fiscal year 1934 document that the town voted & raised $591 for a C.W.A road project. No details are given as to what was worked on. The 1936 report explains that federal money was spent constructed a road to the local airport as well. The airport itself also received federal funding under FERA, acquiring a 1400 x 100 gravel runway and a 600 x 100 additional feet of construction for existing runways.

Useful work was accomplished in the small town of Kingfield (population 1,024 1930) by the New Deal. 1933 REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN OF KINGFIELD "Through the C. W. A., we have brought approximately $2000.00 into the town. This money was expended on the West Kingfield road where it was much needed. The work was not performed under the most favorable conditions, and we do not know just how the spring weather conditions will affect this work. However, we have placed from 6 to 12 inches of gravel, 16 to 18 feet wide, for a distance of approximately 2 miles. The money paid for wages...

Only 1933 and 1934 town reports are available. 1933 Local residents Chas. Vane, Lee Roberts, Daniel Morang, Bertram Bowker, Frank Ames leave for a C.C.C. Camp with the town covering their transportation. C. W. A. SEWER PROJECT $237.70 7 men employed. 1934 Expenditures Burnham Hardware Co., C. W. & E. R. A. $527.01 Chapman Lumber Co., Brick Tile & Lumber C. W. A. $236.12 Orrin Marston, truck on C. W. A. $99.54 Eugene Bowers, Labor at Rawson School yard, C. W. A. $73.52 Bert Stanhope, truck C. W. A. and E. R. A. $72.25 R. N. Hiatt, Labor on Drills for C. W. A. and E. R. A....

A 1937 municipal report described extensive WPA improvement in Millinocket: "The W.P.A. was involved in a number of town improvements. The Sewing Project now employing fifteen women is very much worth while and has tended to reduce, as has the airport, the cost of the Poor Account. Through the Sidewalk Project we completed about 5,500 feet of sidewalks and laid the foundation for about 3,700 feet, the surfacing of the latter will have to be taken care of by the town. A Project for a Storm Sewer from Katahdin Ave. thru Spruce Street to Penobscot Avenue to Pine Street to the river is in...

The New Deal early on was involved in helping this small rural town (est. 1680) which only had a population of 569 in 1930. 1933 A few individuals are mentioned along with the town share of costs each for a PWA project and a C.W.A. road project involving a culvert. The school superintendent in a lengthy report gives a mention to the New Deal "The Federal Relief Program even recognizes the importance of adult education and guidance so we cannot consider curtailing the advantages for those who are immature in all respects." 1934 4 people and a few companies are mentioned in connection with a...

1930 population 887 1934 SUMMER ROADS Town share $116.80 E.R.A. employed 4 men spreading gravel. E.R.A. employed a nurse for the town. 1935 Report of the School Superintendent "Through the efforts of the Selectmen a WPA project for the improvement of public buildings was obtained and work started the first of December. The expense for labor has been borne by the federal government. The town has paid for the material used. According to the agreement the school department agreed to use the balance in its repair account for this purpose and the Selectmen were to provide the additional funds needed. Under this project the Gale, Ell, Adams, Egypt...

The 1933 town report notes $1,712.05 spent by the town on an unspecified CWA road project. The 1934 town report lists a small contribution by the town toward unspecified CWA and FERA road and bridge projects. The 1935 town report mentions a loan of $11,000 from the PWA for a building fund. The warrant section says "Art. 20. To see what action the Town will vote to take as to the use of its P. W. A. School House Building Loan." The 1936 report lists a "WPA State Aid Bridge" $1,066 by Maine, $544 by the town, and $614 by a joint fund...