“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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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,… read more
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,… read more
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… read more
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… read more
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,… read more