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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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.”
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…. read more
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… read more
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… read more
According to the Washington Park Association (WPA), the Works Progress Administration (same abbreviation) helped Washington Park “[take] its current shape.” The Association notes, “(The Washington Park Association chose their name wisely when they picked WPA for our abbreviation.)” The details… read more
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…. read more
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: “[Mr. Lenson] moved to Newark and applied… read more
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 [West Coytesville] has been without the benefit of a… read more
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… read more
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 …… read more
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… read more
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… read more
The no-longer extant (demolished and since redeveloped) Westfield Acres was a public housing project constructed with PWA funds during the New Deal. The Federal Writers’ Project wrote: “Westfield Acres, N. side of Westfield Ave. between Dudley and 32nd Sts., was… read more
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… read more
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…. read more
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… read more
“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… read more
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.