Cincinnati Sites

"Trailside Nature Museum: This fieldstone building was completed in 1939, a combined project between the PWA and the CCC and designed by Freund. It reflects the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright with its horizontal design and rustic stone work. All external corners are rounded, as is the central chimney." It is one of the approximately 67 structures (about half of the existing 135 in the Cincinnati Parks system) made by New Deal workers.

During the Great Depression factory jobs were sparse, and unemployment was high because not many could afford consumer goods. Therefore, F.D.R. created programs, including the Works Progress Administration (WPA), to put people back to work through the development of public works projects. Physical labor was employed for the construction and landscaping of public roads and parks facilities, among others. One such location of WPA labor efforts in Cincinnati was the California Woods Nature Preserve. This 113-acre site required a large amount of manpower in order to get it to the beautiful and rich preserve it is today. This allowed hundreds to...

California Woods Nature Preserve was built in 1938 by Hubert M. Garriott and John W. Becker . The WPA hired local workers to built this modern 2 story pool house. Surrounded by woods and beautiful scenery, people got to enjoy coming here and soaking up some sun and playing in the community pool. This project allowed many people to provide for their families and be contributing members of society. Years after being built it was then used as a day camp. Some years later it was marked as a nature preserve.

The Public Works Administration funded the construction of the Bear Pit at the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati OH. The enclosure contained three pits for polar and brown bears. The design of the exhibit sought to emulate a natural environment for the animals. The project was completed in 1937. The construction cost was $94,873 and the total cost was $107,041.

The Public Works Administration funded the construction of the Reptile Building at the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati OH. The design of the exhibits and air conditioning system sought to emulate the natural habitat for the animals. The diorama exhibits included an artificial swamp, rocks, pools of water, and sand.   The project was completed in 1937. The construction cost was $120,199 and the total cost was $130,395.

U.S. Route 50, commonly known in Cincinnati as Columbia Parkway, was a project built in association with the Works Progress Administration. The highway runs through Southern Ohio from east to west. It passes through Cincinnati, Chillicothe, and Athens. The highway grade separation in Cincinnati was funded by the Public Works Administration in 1938.

The historic shelter building in Cincinnati's Eden Park is located behind PlayHouse in the Park with a playground, pool, and basketball court attached. It has some beautiful mural artwork as well.

Several New Deal programs involved the development of sewer and water systems across the United States. The Cincinnati Indian Creek Water Waste Treatment Plant is one such example of New Deal-funded infrastructure upgrade. It was completed by the Works Progress Administration. The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) reports that the WPA constructed the plant in 1935, and that it remains operational today. Today the Cincinnati Indian Creek Water Waste Treatment Plant removes pollutants from industrial waste and processes more than 1 million gallons of water a day in the Cincinnati area.  

The Laurel Homes Historic District is an example of a project completed from the Federal Housing Act. They were built in 1933 and were one of the first examples of  integrated housing in the United States. They were the second largest PWA housing project in the United States. As of today only three of the original buildings remain as the rest were razed.

Lunken Airport houses murals that were painted by William Harry Gothard and commissioned by the WPA's Federal Art Project (FAP). The murals were moved to be completed at Union Terminal in 1937 when a flood covered the airfield and terminal but were returned later. These murals are still on display at Lunken Airport. In the early 20s, Edmund P. Lunken purchased an airport built by ex-army pilots, and on September 5, 1928, he leased the property to the City of Cincinnati. The city purchased additional land, creating the Lunken Airport on 2,000 acres. In 1937, William Harry Gothard painted the murals...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Main Street Steps in Cincinnati OH. Access up and down Mt. Auburn. Excerpt from Cincinnati Magazine: "These are Cincinnati’s first concrete steps, poured as a WPA project in the 1940s, and longest, at 355 risers. Built into the right-of-way of the defunct Mt. Auburn Incline, they rise from the corner of Mulberry, Main, and Antique streets and are a workout—but well worth it for the views at the top."

Mount Airy Forest is one of the largest in Cincinnati's park system. The CCC and WPA did extensive work in the park and many New Deal structures are still standing. From the National Register of Historic Places Flickr site: "Mount Airy Forest is eligible for the National Register under Criterion A as one of the earliest (if not the first) urban reforestation projects in the nation; for its Depression era development utilizing federal WP A and CW A funding; and for the African-American Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) labor that provided manpower for tree-planting, road and trail building, and construction of shelters...

Providing the western edge of ridge of downtown basin sits Mt. Echo Park, with a sweeping view of the Ohio River. Starting with purchase of the land in 1908, over the following decades the park say numerous improvements. The pavilion provides a stunning setting for a wedding but the tucked away picnic shelter is a beauty hiding in plain sight. Designed by architect R. Carl Freund and built by the WPA, the stone chimneys and low roof are a nod to Frank Lloyd Wright.

Numerous sanitary and storm sewer construction projects were undertaken in Cincinnati, Ohio during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction on the projects began as early as 1933. (PWA Docket Nos.: OH 768, 769, 771, 1461, 1462, 1490, 1528, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1821, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 2135, 2136, 2137, 2709, 2745, 8145, W1046, W1143, W1490, W1508)

Multiple street construction, paving, and development projects were undertaken in Cincinnati, Ohio during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction on the projects began as early as 1933. (PWA Docket Nos.: OH 772, 1448, 1518, 2122, 8060, 8061, 9039, 9045, W1092, W1394, W1409, W1411, W1489, W1507, X2193)

The Public Works Administration funded the construction of the University of Cincinnati: Student Union Building in Cincinnati OH in Cincinnati OH. The building was fireproof and had central heating. It contained the University Book Store, a lunge, a 700-seat dining hall, and private dining rooms. The project was completed in October of 1937. The construction cost was $564,005 and the total cost was $599,747.

In 1938, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed a barn at Warder Nursery in Cincinnati OH. The project was one of several undertaken by the WPA in the city. “Three WPA projects for park improvements at Cincinnati, Ohio, have been given approval by the council finance committee of the city,” a contemporary journalist remarked at the time. “One project provides for the erection of a service and storage building at the Warder Nursery on North Ben Road, one for the construction of roads and walks in the various parks, and the other for landscape development in some of the parks.” The WPA...

Several waterworks and water main construction projects were undertaken in Cincinnati, Ohio during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction on the projects began in 1933. (PWA Docket No. OH 770, W1040, W1406, W1407, W1408, W1412) The clear cover project was completed in 1936 and the filtration plant in 1938. The construction cost was $2,947,743 and the total cost was $3,131,990. These projects increased Cincinnati’s plan capacity from 80 to 240 m.g.d.