In September 1935, an enormous highway and grade crossing elimination program was approved by the state Public Works Administration (PWA) officials and was forwarded to Washington for final approval. The large number of projects would amount to a financial outlay… read more
Alliance Municipal Airport was enlarged, with several buildings constructed and the landing field extended, by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Kearney State Teachers College was granted almost $10,000.00 in a WPA grant to improve its athletic facilities. The project was planned to be very “inclusive.” It included improving the current football and athletic field at the college, and leveling and… read more
In December 1933, the Ravenna News reported that the city of Ravenna had been approached by the Buffalo County CWA (Civil Works Administration) Board with an offer of a grant for $6000.00 for the purpose of building a city auditorium…. read more
In 1935, Spencer applied for a Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant for the construction of an auditorium. When the town had not heard anything by November, a delegation of representatives of the town drove to Lincoln to speak with Mr…. read more
This striking two story Art Deco building in Beatrice was constructed by the PWA in 1939-40. The National Register form for the building states: “Compared to other WPA/PWA Art Deco auditoriums in Nebraska…, the Beatrice auditorium is quite exuberantly decorated… read more
The historic Benson Station post office in Omaha, Nebraska was completed in 1941 with Treasury Department funds. The building is still in service.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) reforested “20,000 acres of drifting sand hills and expanded Bessey Forest Nursery producing 30 million saplings for reforestation.” The CCC also “constructed a public campground and picnic area, shelter house, bath houses, and a swimming pool… read more
“Projects completed by the WPA included … improving the Box Butte County Fairgrounds (BX04-026) …”
In 1935, Brainard was given a grant of $24,000.00 from the Public Works Administration (PWA) for the construction of a new school. The total cost of the school was estimated to be $52,000.00.
Brownville Bridge, which carries U.S. 136 over the Missouri River between Nebraska and Missouri, was constructed as a Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project. Completed in 1939, the now-free bridge originally featured tolls.
Just east of the Bryan Bridge across the Niobrara, the Veterans Conservation Corps completed a little park on 1.46 acres of ground purchased by the state for park purposes. A driveway was built at the east and south corner of… read more
In the early 1930s, the Buffalo County Fair was in dire straits. It went broke and was taken over by the County Farm Bureau, and thence was taken over by the newly formed Buffalo County Fair Board. In 1936, the… read more
In February 1937, officers and directors of the Burt County Rural Public Power Company met in the Burt County Courthouse to sign a loan contract with the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) for $275,000.00 to build 263 miles of transmission lines…. read more
In July 1934, the Kearney Daily Hub announced that a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp would be developed at Ravenna. The camp would be responsible for soil erosion projects in northern Buffalo County and southern Sherman County. Two hundred young… read more
The Omaha World-Herald announced in the June 13, 1933 edition that Nebraska’s sixth Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp was approved in Washington D.C. and that it would be located near Valentine. Officials arrived in September to make arrangements for the… read more
In August 1938, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) gave Cedar County a grant for the improvement of the county fairgrounds at Hartington. The grant amounted to $8,040.00.
NHRP Nomination Form: “The City of Alliance Central Park Fountain was constructed on the corner of 10th Street and Niobrara Avenue in Alliance, Nebraska in 1935. The Fountain, an octagonal concrete structure which features tiers of water patterns and electrically… read more
“Projects completed by the WPA included … improving the city park (BX01-067) …”
According to CCC alumnus Charles E. Humberger, quoted in the Nebraska History journal, “guest cabins were constructed and improvements made at the swimming pool and picnic and recreation area. Roads and trails were improved and drainage structures built. Brush dams… read more
“Located just west of the John C. Fremont City Park, this brick auditorium, with Art Deco style detailing, was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The building is still used by the schools and local community. Despite infill of… read more
Constructed by the WPA in 1940-42. “In August of 1938 a $90,000 bond issue was approved by more than 60 percent of voters. As those votes were being canvassed, the rumblings of war could be heard coming from Europe. Germany… read more
On July 25, 1935, the Ainsworth Star-Journal announced that plans were in the works for a new city hall. The Ainsworth City Council had tentatively approved plans for the new building, drawn by Architect J. F. Reynolds of Lincoln. A… read more
Crete, Nebraska’s historic City Hall was constructed in 1939 with federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The building is still in service. The PWA supplied a $19,975 grant for the project, whose total cost was $44,109. PWA Docket No. NE… read more
Kearney made an application for funding for a city hall in 1935, however the bond issue failed and the Public Works Administration (PWA) money was never allocated at that time. In 1938, Kearney was given a grant from the PWA… read more
The historic former City Hall and Auditorium building in Superior, Nebraska was constructed between June 1936 and February 1937 with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The building, which, as of 2012, was awaiting renovation, is located… read more
At an election in February 1937, the voters were given the task to decide whether or not Dunning would have a new community building. The vote was three to one in favor of building the auditorium. The building would be… read more
Nebraska.gov: “In the 1920s mechanical refrigeration ended the ice business and Crystal Lake became a private recreation area for picnics, dancing, swimming, boating, fishing, and skating. In 1937 the 63-acre site was purchased by the state and improved by the… read more
The David City Park begins long before the Great Depression of the 1930s. In 1889, Mrs. Phoebe Miles donated twelve acres to David City for a park, with the stipulation that the city pay the taxes and make improvements. During… read more
The historic Dawes County Courthouse in Chadron, Nebraska was constructed with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $44,893 grant for the project, whose total cost was $99,771. Construction occurred between January 1936 and… read more
The Federal Building in Grand Island, NE underwent an extension during the early era of the New Deal. “Supervising Architect of the Treasury James Knox Taylor designed the new post office and federal building in Grand Island, authorizing the final… read more
Fort Niobrara NWR – Valentine NE Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 by Executive Order. The principal aim was to protect bison and elk herds which had dwindled almost to extinction under the pressure… read more
The Gibbon Public School was designed by John P. Helleberg, Kearney architect. The contract for plumbing and heating the school was given to Art Hilberg of Kearney in December 1935. The building was estimated to cost $45,400.00. The Public Works… read more
The historic Holt County Courthouse in O’Neill, Nebraska was constructed with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $34,363 grant for the project, whose total cost was $70,086. Construction occurred between September 1938 and… read more
In September of 1938 the citizens of Hampton, Nebraska went to the polls to decide if the Village should transfer $6,000 from the electric light fund and borrow another $7000 for the purpose of building an Auditorium. Those funds were… read more
The oldest portion of the park, the block between 5th and 6th Avenues and 29th and 30th Streets, dates back to August 7, 1876, when it was given to the city by Thomas Perkins and James Harford “for the sole… read more
In 1935, the city of Hastings was notified that they had been given approval from the state Works Progress Administration (WPA) office for three projects, two of which were to be of benefit to Heartwell Park. Final approval from Washington… read more
“The Holmes School occupies a 10-acre plot, thus providing ample space for playgrounds. It accommodates 160 pupils. The building is one story and a basement in height, and is T-shaped in plan. It contains three classrooms, a combination library and… read more
The historic Holt County Courthouse in O’Neill, Nebraska was constructed with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $49,909 grant for the project, whose total cost was $114,981. Construction occurred between January 1936 and… read more
An ice equipment project in Beaver City, Nebraska was undertaken with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Living New Deal knows no further information about the project at this time. PWA Docket No. 3754