New Jersey Sites

Ten boys of the federal National Youth Administration worked at the old Trenton Marine Terminal. The facility is now a mixed-use development.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed and paved Tryon Avenue in Teaneck, New Jersey, an extension of West Palisade Avenue in Englewood to Teaneck Road. The road was considered a "necessary improvement for business development" in Englewood, as more residents of West Englewood (in Teaneck) would have access to the municipal road system and head to Englewood to shop.

New Deal funds contributed the the development of the road system in Morris County, New Jersey. State.NJ.us: In the 1930s New Deal public works funding increased the pace of bridge construction with projects that included Route 10 from 1931 to 1935; Route 23 in 1934; and the dualization of Route 6 (present US 46) from 1937 to 1941.

From the Morristown Daily Record: "TRENTON—Construction work of the Civilian Conservation Corps has been so successfully demonstrated by Camp No. 3, near Springfield, one of 22 such camps in New Jersey, that Union County Park Commission, under whose jurisdiction the work is being carried on, is receiving many unsolicited letters of commendation of the work, especially that of flood control, according to State Forester Charles P. Wilber….Channel clearing and flood control on Rahway River is but one project….The workers are making rapid progress in the improvement of the 3,000-acre section of Union County Park System, which includes Watchung Reservation, Briant...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement on the training ship USS Newton, stationed in Jersey City, NJ. The boat sank in the Hudson River in 1946, and "her hulk was later sold." WPA project details: "Improve training ship" Official Project Number: 765‐22‐2‐58 Total project cost: $7,446.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Training Ship, U.S.S. Newton, U.S. Navy

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped to clear vacant lots in Bayonne, New Jersey. This community improvement effort also paved the way for the development of some of these properties for municipal parks (which were then constructed by the WPA). Areas cleared included: "areas along Newark Bay shore 12,500 square feet from Ninth to Eleventh street, 6,230 square feet from Fifteenth to Sixteenth street and 12,500 square feet from Nineteenth to Twenty-first street. Vacant property ... 894,916 square feet off Fifth-eight street, between Broadway and Avenue C, 45,000 square feet at Avenue C and Twenty-seventh street, and 37,500 square feet,...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved Verona Avenue in Newark, New Jersey in 1936. The job put 25 men to work.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked on a project that involved "resurfacing, grading, and seeding lowlands on 25th St. park." Subsequently the WPA undertook "installing four tennis courts and rock fill and erecting new beauty circle with walks leading to same at Veterans Park." Veterans Park is still in use today; modern facilities include: "spray park, playground, exercise area and parking facilities."

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed what was then known as Willow Park (now Victor Crowell Park) in Middlesex, New Jersey. Work began in December 1935. Among other work, Ambrose Brook was dammed "by a concrete-cored earth fill into a seven-and-a-half acre lake with an average depth of seven feet. A sluice gate was constructed for drainage and flood control." Shrubs and trees were planted, and picnic tables and benches constructed. The WPA installed swing sets as well. Roads on the north and south shores of the lake were paved, and "an attractive stone grotto" was erected "at the entrance...

This public elementary school was built in 1935 with funds in part from the Works Progress Administration. Its facade is in the popular Art Deco style of that time. The architect of record was J. Robert Pierson & Son. 

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a major impact on the development of Voorhees State Park between 1933 and 1941. According to the the New Jersey DEP's Division of Parks and Forestry website: "Voorhees State Park served as a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) , planted trees and constructed shelters, picnic sites and trails throughout the park." "When the CCC boys arrived at Voorhees in 1933, they found three relatively undeveloped parcels of land. The park still reflected Governor Voorhees’ use of the property as a farm including pastures, woodland, barns and an apple orchard. By the time the...

The W.P.A. conducted restoration and preservation work at "the clapboard house at Camden, N.J., in which the Good Gray Poet, Walt Whitman, spent the last years of his life."

This park and recreational lake was created largely by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and dedicated in 1940. The borough of Eatontown funded $3,500 of the cost of the project and the WPA $35,000. The park is still in use.

The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $81,000 grant for construction of a new school building in Wantage, New Jersey. Completed in 1937, the total cost of the project, which still operates as the Wantage Elementary School, was $181,206. PWA Docket No. NJ 1158

West New York's War Memorial was constructed as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project in 1937. The New York Times wrote: "A triangular monument, with thirteen steps on each side representing the twenty-six residents of this place who lost their lives in the World War, was dedicated this afternoon at exercises attended by 5,000 persons." The $7,000 monument, which the Times reported as being on "Boulevard East near Tenth Street," (these days, J. F. Kennedy Blvd. north of 54th Street) "was built by the township with labor provided by the WPA. According to Township Commissioner Leo Honore ... 90 per cent of...

The Bureau of Public Roads provided funds to construct an overpass carrying Washington Avenue over the railroad in New Market, Piscataway Township, N.J. The project was undertaken as part of a larger grade crossing elimination initiative during that era. Living New Deal believes this structure has since been replaced. New Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners: "A "Works Program-State Highway Department" project on which the Board initiated proceedings and on January 7, 1936, issued an order to eliminate the grade crossing at Washington Avenue. The proceedings originally affected three grade crossings located in close proximity to each other on Prospect Street, Main Street and Washington Avenue but the...

According to the Washington Park Association (WPA), the Works Progress Administration (same abbreviation) helped Washington Park " its current shape." The Association notes, "(The Washington Park Association chose their name wisely when they picked WPA for our abbreviation.)" The details of this project are unknown to Living New Deal. Part of Bergen County's parks system, Washington Park straddles the border between Jersey City and Union City, N.J., and is still in active use.

Medford Lakes's Municipal Sewer Plant and collection pipelines, Waste Water Treatment Facility and collection system was built with Works Progress Administration (WPA) assistance in 1937-1938. "The sewage system for the community was built in 1937 to 1938 through WPA assistance and has been extended so that now Medford Lakes is completely sewered."

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted work to improve the Watchung Reservation as part of a massive collection of New Deal improvements to the Union County Parks System.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook multiple projects in Livingston, New Jersey. "Among the local WPA projects are a sewing project for women, road building, the laying of water mains and the clearing of lands at the Civic Centre Park."

A 6'3"-span stone arch bridge on Water Street, in Tewksbury, New Jersey, was widened by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The structure is located approximately halfway between Longview Rd. and Rockaway Rd.

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked on a land reclamation and shore beautification project on the south shore of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. As part of the project Water Street was widened by 12 feet and paved with macadam. Sidewalks and curbs were installed and 300 feet of hedges were transplanted.

Michael Lenson painted "Enlightenment of Man" with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project. The New York Times wrote the following in 2003 in a retrospective article of New Jersey-based artist Michael Lenson: " moved to Newark and applied at the W.P.A. office on Halsey Street ... Soon, Mr. Lenson was designing and executing murals for the state W.P.A. program. He went on to become assistant state supervisor in charge of the other muralists in the agency. By the time the federal W.P.A. closed in 1943, Mr. Lenson had created six murals and supervised the execution of 15 more in New Jersey by...

Fort Lee, New Jersey received a modern sewer system during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor. Fort Lee's Palisadian newspaper wrote: For many years has been without the benefit of a sewer system. Often the overflowing of cesspools has created a condition that was not only very unpleasant but to health. The officials have been cognizant of the bad condition for a number of years but because of Fort Lee's sorry financial plight were unable to provide a remedy. A majority of the property owners effected were in no position to shoulder an...

The elimination of railroad track grade crossings in Allendale, New Jersey, became a matter of public safety during the 1930s. The Public Works Administration provided funds for two crossings in Allendale, including that at West Crescent Ave. “The new crossings at West Crescent Avenue and West Orchard Street were achieved by making excavation cuts, regrading the roadbeds and building overpasses for the railroad tracks. The work was done under supervision of the Erie Railroad, the , and and public utility commissioners.”

Fort Lee, New Jersey's old West Fort Lee schoolhouse during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor. Fort Lee's Sentinel newspaper wrote: "Parents and property owners of West Fort Lee were greatly cheered ... by news that the Federal Government has approved a WPA grant for the repair of the West Fort Lee schoolhouse. ... t is hoped will result in the prompt modernization of "a building that is in dire need of such treatment." The exact location of the old school is unknown to Living New Deal.

The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $50,000 loan and $40,909 grant for construction of a school in Freehold, New Jersey. Total cost of the project was $65,608. Then known as the West Freehold School, the facility is now the Freehold Township Elementary School, and has since been expanded. PWA Docket No. NJ 1054

The elimination of railroad track grade crossings in Allendale, New Jersey, became a matter of public safety during the 1930s. The Public Works Administration provided funds for two crossings in Allendale, including that at West Orchard St. “The new crossings at West Crescent Avenue and West Orchard Street were achieved by making excavation cuts, regrading the roadbeds and building overpasses for the railroad tracks. The work was done under supervision of the Erie Railroad, the , and and public utility commissioners.”

The no-longer extant (demolished and since redeveloped) Westfield Acres was a public housing project constructed with Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the New Deal. The first families moved in on May 1, 1938 and the project was demolished in 2001. The Federal Writers' Project wrote: "Westfield Acres, N. side of Westfield Ave. between Dudley and 32nd Sts., was financed with $3,000,000 of PWA funds. The model housing project covers 25 acres and includes 18 units with a total of 514 apartments of 3 to 5 rooms. The buildings are three-story brick structures of simple design, with many large, steel-framed windows....

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to improve what was known as the "Merchantville borough park" in Merchantville, New Jersey ca. 1936. The park in question is most likely what is known as Westwood Park.

The Bureau of Public Roads provided funds for construction of a bridge carrying Weymouth Road over the railroad in Hammonton, N.J. However, since no crossing at this location is extant, it is possible that they mean the Broemel Pl. underpass. The project was undertaken as part of a larger grade crossing elimination initiative during that era. New Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners: "A "Works Program-State Highway Department" project on which the Board initiated proceedings and on October 2, 1935, issued an order to eliminate the grade crossing. Construction started in October, 1936, and the project was completed in November, 1937. Funds from the...

Funds provided by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) enabled construction of a library addition to the old Wilbur Watts High School in Burlington, New Jersey, since demolished.

The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a grant for the construction of a viaduct to carry Willow Avenue between Hoboken and Weehawken over the train tracks. The project was undertaken as part of a larger grade crossing elimination initiative during that era. The PWA provided a grant of $103,940 for the project, whose total cost was $365,684. PWA Docket No. NJ 4647

The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a grant for the grade separation of Wilson Avenue and what were then the Central Railroad of New Jersey railroad tracks in Newark, New Jersey. The project was undertaken as part of a larger grade crossing elimination initiative during that era. The PWA provided a grant of $158,850 for the project, whose total cost was $319,784. New Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners: "The order to eliminate this crossing was originally issued by the Board May 1st, 1933, but extensions of time for beginning the work were granted from time to time and construction of the...

"This school made possible the abandonment of four dilapidated portable buildings which were being used for classes due to the extreme overcrowding of the two existing elementary schools. The project and its equipment are planned for a future addition which will increase the present capacity of 510 students by more than 30 percent. The building as built is 2 stories high in the central part and has a 1-sotry wing at each end. It contains 13 classrooms, a kindergarten, offices, service rooms, teachers' room with a kitchen attached, a clinic, and a combined auditorium-gymnasium for use by the pupils and by...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement work on all school buildings in the city of Bayonne ca. 1939. Work on the Woodrow Wilson School building included "painting, repairing, and general improvement work."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) operated a "bathing beach," including swimming instruction classes, at the southeast corner of Mirror Lake in Browns Mills, New Jersey.