From 1933 to 1934 the CWA was involved in taking up track within the city from the defunct interurban electric trolley, the Bay State Railway Company. The BSRC went bankrupt in 1919, but sections still survive today in the MBTA… read more
Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor conducted road repair work in Kensington, New Hampshire during the Great Depression. 1936 “We were faced last spring by badly damaged roads due to rains of flood propensities that ruined nearly every hill and… read more
The town road agent Clifford Davis reported in the annual town report for 1937 that: “Work Accomplished on W. P. A. Project 378 Graveling, Widening, Culverts, Ditching and Bush Cutting on the Hackelborough, MacElroy, Pickard, Morrill, Concord, Colby, Asby, &… read more
Municipal reports for the city of Concord report extensive New Deal road work throughout the 1930s. In 1933, the PWA contributed almost $5,000 to improvements on South Main St., South State St., Pleasant St., Warren St. and School St. The… read more
In 1940, the WPA helped construct a new wading pool at Rolfe Park. A municipal report from that year reported that: “This pool, which has a depth ranging from three and one-half to four feet, meets a long felt need… read more
Municipal reports for the town of Concord document New Deal improvements to the park throughout the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1935, the CWA funded a stone wall along Broadway, enlarged the park’s wading pool and removed dead trees… read more
The Public Works Administration funded the construction of the Rollinsford Grade School. The structure was built in 1936, and consists of a large T-shaped two story gabled roof building in the Colonial Revival style. The town-wide school was grades 1-8…. read more
The federal Public Works Administration helped to finance a large jetty construction project in Rye Harbor, New Hampshire. The PWA provided a $126,000 grant toward the project, whose construction occurred between 1938 and 1939. (PWA Docket No. NH [X]1090.) A… read more
The original Sarah Mildred Long Bridge was constructed as a federal Public Works Administration (PWA) project. It was a “lift bridge that carries the US 1 Bypass over the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine. The bridge… read more
In the 1935 municipal Town Report, the School Superintendent reports on WPA assistance: “It seemed right that if we were to have music again in the schools we should have a special room and equipment; the W.P. A. offer was… read more
The PWA was involved in construction of a seawall along the Atlantic coast of New Hampshire, in particular, the Hampton Beach resort area. Up to the advent of the New Deal, the condition of the very popular Hampton Beach area… read more
The federal Work Projects Administration (WPA) put seven men to work ca. 1940 constructing sewers in Allenstown, New Hampshire. Sewer Construction — $1,462.76 Balance W.P.A. Project $60.06 $1,522.82 7 men employed
The 1936 Selectmens report mentions W.P.A. assistance to the town of Farmington: “With respect to Article 3 of the Warrant covering budget items 10 and 11-a, we suggest a small appropriation of $1350.00 to cover our ‘Sponsor’s Contribution’ for the… read more
According to limited annual town reports available, major improvements were constructed to the sewer system with the help of the New Deal in this historical port town and maritime manufacturing center that begins from the early 1600’s up to it’s… read more
Up until 1933, the sewer system of Hampton Beach was simply a system built by the Hampton Beach Improvement Company which piped raw sewage directly into the ocean. Under threat from state health officials due to “deplorable conditions” that would… read more
Annual reports for the city of Concord from 1933-1942 show extensive New Deal work on the municipal sewer system during the Depression. In 1933-1934, the reports discuss PWA work on storm sewers and “combined systems” on Prospect Street, Walker Street,… read more
A local WPA sewing project between 1935 and 1937 supplied clothing for the needy.
The Civilian Conservation Corps built a shelter and picnic facilities at Mount Kearsarge between 1933-1942.
Rochester, New Hampshire’s historic Spaulding High School was constructed with the aid of federal funds during the Great Depression. The building is still in use today. “Spaulding High School, which opened in 1939, is considered one of the most beautiful… read more
The Annual Town Report for 1939 notes Works Progress Administration & National Youth Administration activity in the town. Welfare Department 22. WPA allotments $1697.46 “Highway Agent When the special WPA appropriation was exhausted, this department purchased all tools, shovels, striking… read more
The 1934 town report under town appropriations says that $1500.00 was spent on “Wharf C.W.A. Fed. project” It is located behind the hardware store and is used by the the town fire department according to a recent selectmen report. A… read more
In 1935, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded a series of street improvements in Keene, NH. This work included removing Keene Electric Railway tracks from West and Main Streets and Central Square and repaving the effected streets.
“Tuckerman Ravine is a glacial cirque sloping eastward on the southeast face of Mt. Washington, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Although it draws hikers throughout the year, and skiers throughout the winter, it is best known for the… read more
“The Twin Mountain Hatchery dates back to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal of the 1930s. After members of the Whitefield Fish and Game Club read about the creation of a hatchery in Chester County, Pennsylvania, they presented the idea… read more
“Three New Hampshire artists were hired to paint a series of murals for the University Library [then the Hamilton Smith Library]. These murals were painted under direction of Omer T. Lassonde, State Supervisor of the New Hampshire WPA Art Project…. read more
“The recreational area known as Lewis Fields at the University of New Hampshire was begun in December of 1933 and finished in September of 1936. It was named for President Edward M. Lewis. The facility was built using funds from… read more
This outdoor, one acre, “flow-through” pool was constructed by the WPA in 1937-38 on the UNH campus near the center of town. It has been a popular site ever since. This summer, the university announced plans to close the pool,… read more
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) “[c]onstructed road and water holes, fought forest fires, and restored local roads and bridges after the 1936 flood and the 1938 hurricane.”
Municipal reports from Nashua’s local governments documented extensive New Deal work on the cities water and sewer systems during the 1930s: 1933 Mayor Alvin Lucier reported: “As we take over the reins of government today, we do so with abiding… read more
The federal Public Works Administration provided grants to the town of Charlestown, New Hampshire for the development of its water system through the construction of water mains. The BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS in the 1936 town report noted: PWA WATER… read more
In the town reports of Rochester, the town resolutions of 1933 and 1934 talk about federal help for the construction of a standpipe and pump. “RESOLUTION TO APPLY SINKING FUND TO NOTES PAYABLE ACCOUNT AND MAKE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL LOAN… read more
The Civilian Conservation Corps built facilities at the Wellington State Beach. The work included several structures, picnic facilities, and the landscaping of the beach. Brief history of the park, from NH State Parks: “One dollar; what will it buy today? In… read more
White Lake campground is located on a National Natural Landmark of 72 acre Pitch Pine Stand, surrounding a glacier formed lake. The 117th Co. S53, CCC based out of Tamworth NH, was involved in the building of bath houses, beach… read more
“In 1934, Wylie Apte accepted their offer and became the manager of the airport operations at the White Mountain Airport. Wylie persuaded the White Mountain Airport Corporation to clear away the trees so that he could taxi near the highway,… read more
Municipal reports for the town of Concord document extensive New Deal improvements in White Park. In 1935, the entrance to White Park at the corner of Center and High streets was remodeled. In 1936, the PWA completed a cement bathing… read more
This project was undertaken by the 156th Company of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In 1933, CCC supervisor Robert Monahan wrote his parents about this work: “My job the past two days has been to supervise some 78 men in… read more
Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, near Jackson, NH, in the Mt. Washington Valley, is one of the best-known alpine skiing resorts in New England, with lifts from the base on NH Rt. 16 in Pinkham Notch 2,112 feet (644 m)… read more
A 1939 Town report notes efforts at unemployment relief. REPORT OF OVERSEER OF THE POOR It is gratifying to us all, to know that unemployed men and women of Candia are put to work as soon as possible through the… read more
The 1936 Town report mentions Flood repair from the 1936 flood as a WPA project employing 8 men with $1,231.50 contributed and a WPA sewing project for the making of clothing for the poor as costing $246.70 and employing employing… read more
A 1937 municipal report describes the usefulness of WPA projects to the city: “We have had several employed on W.P.A. projects in nearby towns which has been much help to all. As we locally can not furnish from our relief… read more