Maine Sites

Community notes of April 25, 1935 document that FERA was involved in constructing sewer lines on Thomas and Heald Streets in a project that employed 34 men for several weeks. The Thomas St sewer pipe was 10 inches and the Heald St. pipe is 12 inches.

Lewiston took full advantage of New Deal funds to get much work accomplished during the years of the economic depression. One of these federally funded projects was the upgrade of the sewer system. During the hard winter of 1933/34, "Sewer pipes are now being laid on Castle, Dill, Eustis and Foch St. Sewer pipes on Glenwood St., Boston Ave. and at Barkerville are soon to be laid." 1934 Mayors Report: E. R. A. "Please let me enumerate some of the most important projects completed during this last year under the E. R. A. All proposed projects on sewerage have been accomplished to the...

"Located on the northern end of Pleasant Mountain, Shawnee Peak is the oldest major ski area in Maine. Shawnee Peak's skiing history dates back to 1935, when multiple groups started developing a winter recreation area on the northern slopes of Pleasant Mountain. The Bridgton Lions Club, Bridgton Chamber of Commerce, Bridgton Academy, Portland Ski Club, and Bridgton Civilian Conservation Corps joined together to construct the Wayshego Trail. Laid out by Max Wheildon, Bud Dow, and Clarence Kneeland, the 1.5 mile trail was only the start of what was to come. In 1937, Bridgton selectmen obtained a Works Progress Administration grant for further...

Approximately half Lewiston' sidewalks s seems were built by the New Deal. "1934 Mayors Report: E. R. A. Please let me enumerate some of the most important projects completed during this last year under the E. R. A. about 12 miles of permanent sidewalks; thousands of feet of curbing were relayed; nearly 8 miles of temporary sidewalks;" "12 Permanent sidewalks: There were 69,450 feet or approximately 12 miles of permanent sidewalks constructed in the following streets: Lincoln, Cedar, Oxford, River Lower Lisbon, Park, Knox, Bates,Blake, Bartlett, Horton, Howe, Shawmut, Howard,  Bradley, Jefferson, Webster, Orange. Sylvan Ave., Colder, Lafayette, Newman, Campus Ave. Nichols, Wood, Maple, Birch, Walnut,...

"During June, 1934, a project for concrete sidewalk construction was started in Waterville. This project was self-sustaining and cost the ERA nothing except for labor and trucks. From June until the last of October, 6,671 lineal feet of 4'0" and 6'0" sidewalk was built. Of this amount 823 feet of 4'0" walk was constructed on Winter and West Winter Streets, completing both sides from beginning to and making the first street in the city to be so beautified. On Burleigh Street 1,509 lineal feet of 5'0" walk was constructed. This construction of concrete sidewalk was continued at the beginning of the summer...

During the Great Depression the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) funded the labor for the construction of what is now known as the Somerset Residential Care Center, in Madison, Maine. When constructed, the facility went by a different name: the "town farm." Town farms were once the means by which rural towns in New England cared for or warehoused (depending on the local conditions) the elderly, the mentally handicapped, disabled, transients, etc. The community notes from April 11, 1935 notes that "Work started Friday forenoon on the two weeks' ERA project, painting and repairing the buildings at the Madison town farm. There...

Somesville Bridge is a 340 ft long 5 span continuous steel girder bridge that spans the northerly branch of the Saco River between the cities of Saco and Biddeford in York County. This was one of 26 bridges that were badly damaged or destroyed by the 1936 flood. 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. All bridges were placed under construction in 1936 and the Somesville Bridge was completed in 1937 utilizing...

This small airport was part of a massive upgrading of the airports in the state after a January 1934 survey by Capt. Harry M. Jones with the intention of building a chain of airports in coastal towns, inland towns, and lake resorts. The airfield was originally built in 1935 by the Maine Emergency Relief Administration, a state division of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. It built 1 NW - SE 2,300 x 300 graded runway. It was listed as Calais in the MERA report. "St. Croix Airport apparently was closed at some point between 1996-2004."

As part of 7 initial CWA projects in Somerset County, was $7,000 for a portion of Maine State Route 43 from Farmington to Anson.

"An infirmary and dormitory buildings were built at the State School for Girls."   (Short and Stanley-Brown) "The town of Hallowell is home to the Stevens School, a historically significant campus that stands as testament to Maine’s social and educational history. Formerly known as The Maine Industrial School for Girls, the school opened in 1875 and boasts several buildings showcasing the Colonial Revival style of architecture. Maine Industrial became the Stevens School in 1915 and functioned as a state facility until 1970, when it closed its doors. State offices then moved onto the campus, along with the Maine State Prison Pre-Release...

Steven A. Bean Municipal Airport (FAA LID: 8B0) is a town owned, public use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) northwest of the central business district of Rangeley, a town in Franklin County, Maine. It has one runway designated 14/32 with an asphalt surface measuring 3,201 by 75 feet (976 x 23 m). For the 12-month period ending August 16, 2010, the airport had 12,350 aircraft operations, an average of 33 per day: 97% general aviation, 2% military, and <1% air taxi. At that time there were 6 aircraft based at this airport: 100% single-engine. This airport was originally developed...

During the latter half of the 1930s the federal Works Progress Administration furnished the labor for the construction of a stormwater runoff channel at Gay Street in Rockland, Maine. Rockland's 2011-12 annual town report brings to light a problem with an old New Deal project. "Since 1987 there have been increasing reoccurrences of major flooding of Lindsey Brook caused by: deterioration of a 74-year-old system built as a Depression Era WPA project"

The May 31, 1934 issue of the Illustrated Daily News reports on New Deal help with installing street lights in Madison, Maine. Powerful Street Lights Mounted on 31 Ornamental Poles Illuminate Madison New Street Light System Recently Installed Under Direction of E. W. Adams Extends From Hunnewell Corner to M.C.R.R. Crossing -- Real Credit To Town   An important epoch in the history of Madison Improvement was brought to completion of Monday evening May 21st with the turning on for the first time of the new ornamental street lights which have been in the process of installation since last November, the powerful lights giving...

Federal Emergency Relief Administration crews built parking for Summit Park in Bangor ME. Excerpt from Bangor Daily News: "ERA Workers Building Parking Space Near Old Water Standpipe" "One of the new ERA projects now under way in Bangor is a large parking place being constructed at Summit Park. Those who have driven to the standpipe during summer nights for a view of the city, have found it impossible to get a good parking place, and it is believed that the new graveled area will be one of great convenience to those who wish to view the surrounding country from the top of Thomas Hill. At...

A mosquito control project was carried on from December 7, 1933 to February 1, 1934 at Old Orchard under C.W.A. funds. A swampy area adjacent to this resort was ditched to drain water which constantly remained there in a stagnant state serving as a breeding place for mosquitoes. Fifty men were employed. D. L. Moody was superintendent of the field work. Two miles of ditches were dug. Inspection in the summer of 1934 showed very satisfactory results obtained in draining this area.

"The CCC crews cut trails, built shelters on Bald Rock and down on the shore across from the old Sagamore site. Eventually, that would become the entrance to the new Camden Hills State Park. At Camp Tanglewood they constructed cabins, a dining hall, staff quarters, sewer and water systems and an infirmary using locally-purchased materials. After it was completed the Bangor YWCA contracted to use the new facility for a summer camp. Once the park, including Camp Tanglewood, was finished it was turned over to the state of Maine to administer as a state park."

"The major accomplishment according to Superintendent Nickerson was the beginning of construction on a new elementary school, which would be named the John S. Tapley School, designed to replace the two buildings being used at that time. The new building was a Federal Public Works Project, which meant that 45%, or $29,250, of the $65,000 cost was paid by the federal government. The building committee of Francis Thwing, Marion L Tapley, Daniel M Marshall, Harold York and Harold Bridges, worked long and hard, coming up with a plan for a two story plus basement, 60 by 100 foot building of...

"In 1934 Federal CWA and ERA funds were used for construction of 2 tennis courts, constructed with a 3 layer bituminous construction, new to northern New England, with a tile underdrain and surrounded by heavy wire fence. This made a total of 3 tennis courts on Eastern Promenade. The current 3 courts were renovated in 2000 with a new surface and perimeter fence. They are in excellent condition and heavily used."

"The Gilman Street Bridge, since named “Thayer Memorial Bridge” , which was undertaken as a C. W. A. project in 1933 was completed under F. E. R. A. early in 1934. Although the cost of this project exceeded the estimate by several thousand dollars, due to a sharp advance in the price of materials after construction started and to difficult working conditions because of extremely cold weather, it is a beautiful, well constructed and useful memorial to the vision and ability of the late Mayor Thayer to plan and bring to pass this project which will be an everlasting benefit...

The Ticonic bridge is a 575 Foot concrete and steel I beam structure that carries route 201 over the Kennebec River and connects Waterville and Winslow. The bridge was one of 26 bridges that were badly damaged or destroyed by a 500 year flood in March 1936. A large piece of ice hit one of the stone piers causing two of the bridge spans to crash into the river. 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....

"In 1866, soon after Congress authorized the establishment of a National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the Eastern Branch opened on the site of a former heath resort for the wealthy built by investor Horace Beals that had gone bankrupt during the Civil War. In response to an influx of returning veterans after World War I, Congress created the Veterans Bureau in 1921, followed by the Veterans Administration in 1930. The Eastern Branch and the other National Home branches were expanded to accommodate a new generation of veterans; the campus experienced a major building campaign. In the early 1930's, the new...

The Independent Reporter published a story on June 11, 1936 regarding a WPA project to build a tourist information building in Portland Maine. "Tourist Information Building To Be Built in Portland By The State The State, in connection with W.P.A. funds, is having this building erected in Portland at the junction of St. John and Danforth Streets to be used exclusively for Tourist Information to our visitors and our State of Mainers. This building is sponsored by the Maine Development Commission and leased to the Maine Publicity Bureau for its headquarters instead of its present location in Longfellow Square, which will be given...

"A bequest of securities was made to the town which was intended to provide funds for the building. Due to a decrease in the value of these securities it was necessary to obtain P.W.A. aid, and even with this aid a smaller building was constructed than the one originally contemplated. The over-all dimensions of the building are 117 by 77 feet and it is two stories high with a basement. It houses all of the town offices, the fire department, a library, an auditorium, a kitchen, and a social room. It has a steel frame, concrete floors, and wood roof. The exterior...

Veazie ME's Town Hall was built in 1938 with funding from the New Deal, almost surely the Public Works Administration (PWA). Jean Hamilton's local history has this to say:  "The Great Depression hit Veazie about as hard as everywhere else. In response the town allowed residents to work on town projects in lieu of cash to pay taxes. The town voted heavily for Hoover in 1932 and even more heavily for Landon in 1936 yet cashed in on Roosevelt's programs in building the Town Hall in 1938."

"The two-story former town hall was built in the early 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, and served as Greenwood's meeting place until 1998. ... The hall includes "a large upstairs meeting hall and stage, an entrance vestibule and stairhall, and varnished pine wainscoting and fiberboard sheathing on the walls."

The historic one-room Roosevelt School in Hamlin, Maine—now the community's town hall—was constructed in 1933. Sources suggest that the building was affiliated with the New Deal. It was likely constructed with federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) labor. The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

An online history of Monson reports about the former town hall: "Destroyed in the fire of December 28, 1888. Rebuilt. The annex built in the 1930's by W.P.A. men. The GAR turned the building over to the Town of Monson in the early 1940's. When the town owned it they housed the Town Office, Fire Dept. and Public Library on the first floor. Second floor was used for many activities. In 1972, the town deeded it to the Tisbury Manor Chapter D.A.R. and it presently houses Monson's Historical Museum."   (www.monsonmaine.org)

The Civil Works Administration funded municipal improvements in Acton ME between 1933 and 1940.  Acton is a rural town (1930 population 449) in York County situated next to the New Hampshire border.   

In 1936, WPA workers removed old trolley tracks from the defunct Portland Company along Woodford Street in Portland Maine.

This US Custom House in Portland, Maine was completed in 1872. In 1934, plumbing improvements were made by federal architect Louis A. Simon and federal engineer, George O. Von Nerta.

The W.P.A. worked to improve the former U.S. Naval Direction Finder Station, by Schoodic Point, south of Winter Harbor, Maine. W.P.A. project information: “Construct garage, tennis courts, and roadways” Official Project Number: 109‐3‐11‐24 Total project cost: $17,673.00 Sponsor: Commandant, 1st Naval District, U.S. Navy

The historic former U.S. Border Inspection Station at since-demolished Union Bridge in Calais, Maine was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The facility, located by the river on Todd Street, was completed in January 1939. The facility, since altered, was sold in 1962. Living New Deal is unsure of the building's present status, though satellite imagery suggests that the building still stands, heavily altered.

An article in the December 5 1935 Bangor Daily News reported that the Agriculture Dept. had approved 5 grade crossing elimination projects in Maine submitted by the State Highway Commission. "ON MAINE CENTRAL RAILROAD Androscoggin and Kennebec counties, between Leeds and Monmouth, on federal-aid highway route 1, construct grade separation strcuture, state funds, $475, federal funds $79,013." Route 1 was changed to US-202 and the former Maine Central RR following 1970's deregulation was merged into Guilford Transportation Inc./Pan Am Railways and recently into CSX Railroad.

An article in the Bangor Daily News reported that "The Department of agriculture announced today that 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.... Cumberland County, at Freeport on Federal-aid highway route 13, construct grade separation structure, state funds $2,197, federal funds $84,411." The TRIP organization lists this bridge as the 25 most heavily traveled structurally deficient bridges in Southern Maine with 12,946 vehicles traversing the bridge daily. Visually from google street view, one can see significant crumbling of the reinforced...

The Village Bridge is 94 foot Warren pony truss bridge over East Branch Sebasticook River on ME 69/ME 220 in Detroit Maine. It was one of 26 bridges that were badly damaged or destroyed by a 500 year flood in March 1936. A Maine 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. All bridges were placed under construction in 1936 with labor supplied to some by the Works Progress Administration.

Rebuilding the water supply system was part of the massive amount of public works projects undertaken in this small industrial city. In the winter of 1993/34, under the Civil Works Administration, the Mayor said "work was accomplished at great odds, inclement temperature, ground frozen to a depth of over four feet in some places. Let me, very briefly, tell you what work was accomplished: 4100 feet of six inch water pipe was laid on Sabattus Road. 8500 feet of six inch was laid on Webster Road. 600 feet of six inch water pipe on South Avenue. 4400 feet of eight inch water pipe at Barkerville,...

1935 Report of the Livermore Falls Water District With the aid of a W.P.A. project much necessary work is being done removing bushes and waste matter around the shore. 1936 Report of the Livermore Falls Water District Recognizing the fact that much better service should be given to certain localities in our Town and in the village of Chisholm where water is used from our High Pressure System both for Domestic and Fire Protection your Trustees were fortunate to get through a W. P. A. Project to install 2500 feet of 8 inch pipe beginning at the 12 inch main at Spring Street and...

The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of waterworks in Hampden ME in 1938. The PWA provided $58,950 while the Hampden Water District's contribution consisted of a bond issue of $140,000. Excerpt from the Bangor Daily News, 1938: "Standpipe In Hampden Has Been Completed Has Capacity of 370,000 Gallons; An Unusual Test Made The erection of the standpipe for the Hampden Water District, financed by the Public Works Administration, was completed Thursday, Inspector H. S. Yergey, resident engineer, announced yesterday. The steel standpipe is thirty feet in diameter, seventy-five feet high, and has a capacity of 370,000 gallons. A departure from the usual riveted...

The Civil Works Administration (CWA), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) supported the construction of welfare housing in Houlton ME between 1933 and 1935. Excerpts from the Annual Town Reports, Houlton Maine: 1933 Partial Cost of Houses Constructed For Welfare Department 13 people involved and the Houlton Planing Mill $1,337.83 Welfare Department – Labor Expenses 41 men employed as laborers $1,525.00 paid from R.F.C. Account. ADMINISTRATION Besides the High School lot, the Chairman personally supervised the building of six small houses which were occupied when built by those unable at that time to own or rent homes. Report of Federal Activities...

Wells Junior High School (originally the third high school facility) in Wells, Maine was constructed as a New Deal project; the facility was built with Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $40,909 grant for the project, whose total cost was $91,890. The facility, located at the north end of the present educational complex, has since been dramatically expanded. This building was designed by the architecture firm Miller & Beal, Inc. of Portland, Maine. Two other schools used the exact same design: Cape Elizabeth High School in Cape Elizabeth, Maine (now known as Cape Elizabeth Middle School) and Tewksbury...