The Works Progress Administration built several structures for the Bluejacket Public School between 1936-1939. The author of this submission provided the Living New Deal with the following account based on personal discussions with a family member who was the superintendent of the… read more
“Boiling Springs State Park is a park built near Woodward, Oklahoma, by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and named for one of the several natural springs which occur in the park… In 1935 much of the land comprising… read more
The original school was built in 1912, and then in 1937, the WPA built an auditorium and gym. According to a 1987 survey, “Gym was added to original school, which no longer exists. Newer school buildings added in 1940s changed… read more
Contributor note: “Bowers School is located about six miles west of Wilburton off Highway 270. This is a two-room school about 28 x 68 ft. constructed of cut and coursed native sandstone, which is now painted a sand color. It… read more
On the northwest corner of 6th and Leach, this Boy Scout Hut is located in a park area. This is a one-story native stone building, with an entrance facing east and located in a slight projected portion of the building…. read more
“This red brick armory was constructed by the WPA in 1936… Architecturally, the armory is unique in terms of materials in that brick WPA structures are unusual in northeastern Oklahoma. Moreover, nothing in Boynton compares to the structure in terms… read more
“The greatest legacy of the WPA in Oklahoma may be the hundreds of WPA-built buildings that are still in use. To most citizens, the public buildings are the most visible remains of a work relief program that truly benefited the… read more
The WPA built this addition to Calumet High School in 1938. The site is now Calumet Junior High School. From Waymarking.com: The Calumet High School building was constructed in 1920. It is a one-story red brick building with high stepped… read more
An Oklahoma Historical Society document records that: “Unlike many other Oklahoma towns, Henryetta appears to have weathered the Depression reasonably well, in part because of the lingering importance of coal. As a result, Henryetta possesses fewer buildings constructed as Depression-era… read more
“The native sandstone wall around the football field is a WPA project. Capitol Hill High School is located at 500 S.W. 36th Street. Built in 1928, it is still in use today. On the west side of the school, the… read more
“Stadiums and field houses became important additions for many school systems. In Oklahoma, competitive sports added quality of life for residents during the Great Depression. Small school districts were especially proud to receive an ‘indoor’ gym. High school stadiums such… read more
“Originally built in 1935 as Capitol School at 802 E. Vilas, this building is currently home to the Board of Education and other Guthrie Public Schools administrative offices. This WPA project is documented on the cornerstone where is indicates that… read more
The Cave Springs Public School is a K-12 school in rural Oklahoma. The main building was constructed in 1926. The WPA added this gymnasium in 1939: “This ‘Y’ shaped building measures 112′ by 135′ and is constructed from cut and… read more
A CCC monument erected in 1987 commemorates CCC Company 884 which worked out of Rush Springs, Oklahoma. This camp focused primarily on “soil conservation due to the nature of the soil in this area. The work performed here consisted of… read more
The Central Fire Station in Ada, Oklahoma, was constructed by the Public Works Administration (PWA), under the supervision of architect Robert F. Ferguson, consulting engineer George Taylor, and contractor Arney Harbert. It is a two-story stone block building with four… read more
Between 1937 and 1939 the WPA made improvements to Chase Park in Seminole, Oklahoma. The improvements included the construction of a wading pool and bathhouse. The Oklahoma Historic Preservation Survey notes that “…The workers who built the bathhouse and pool… read more
This public housing facility was built by the PWA in 1936-38. The site was designed by George Blumenauer, architect, and built by D.C. Bass Construction Co. The apartments still exist, but are now privately owned. They were added to the… read more
Just south of I-44 in the northeast corner of Oklahoma lies a historic 1936 school building built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). “This one-room, rectangular (23′ x 45′) structure is made of uncut native stone.” The building is now… read more
The CCC was extensively involved in development of the portion of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area formerly known as Platt National Park: “Originally known as Sulphur Springs Reservation, and later renamed Platt National Park, the park was established in 1902… read more
“Veterans Lake is located in the western portion of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area’s Platt Historic District. The lake is an excellent fishing venue, hiking and picnicking nearby. No-wake boating is allowed on the lake. It was created by damming… read more
“The Chickasha Junior High School building currently houses the Middle School. The gymnasium/auditorium so closely matches the architecture of the main school building that it appears to be a single construction project, however, research has only found reference to the… read more
“The [former] Yukon City Hall is a two-story light brick building constructed by the WPA in 1936. It faces north and has a centered entrance. The building has five bays, separated by decorative masonry pilasters, with engraving at the tops…. read more
The golf course was built in 1940, and is one of only two golf courses built by the Federal Works Progress Administration in Oklahoma. This a 160-acre, 18-hole course sits on the southeast edge of town and is currently leased to… read more
"The new Municipal Building at Ardmore replaces two old structures, one of which was used as the city hall and one as the police station, and makes possible the concentration of all of the municipal departments under one roof. The… read more
The Wagoner City Hall was built by the WPA in 1936-37. “A single story, rectangular (40′ x 79′) structure, the Wagoner City Hall is constructed of rusticated and coursed native sandstone… The Wagoner City Hall is significant because it reflects… read more
What was then the Coweta city hall was built by the WPA in 1939-1940. The city hall has since moved, and this building now serves as the town police department. The Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory form for WPA projects in Wagoner… read more
This former city hall and jail building was built by the PWA in 1936. “The building is currently the location of the Prague Police Department, with the municipal offices having moved to another location in town. …The town of Prague… read more
“City Park is located on S.E. 1st Street, between E. Broadway and E. Catalpa. This is a long, narrow park, with a creek running through it. At the south end of the park is a lovely wood gazebo and a… read more
The armory was built by the WPA in 1935: “This armory is a single-story, rectangular…structure constructed of cut, course, and rusticated native stone of buff color. The central portion of the roof is arched, while the remainder of it is… read more
“The auditorium was constructed as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) public works project in 1936-1937, during the Great Depression. It provided much-needed jobs in the Clayton area, which had been economically ravaged. According to an architectural survey completed in 1988,… read more
Excerpt from okhistory.org Delaware WPA Properties 1985: “This essentially “L” shaped structure (188′ x 156 on the exterior sides) is constructed of rusticated and random laid limestone. It has a flat roof and parapets capped with concrete. Recessed entryways have… read more
“In 1938 the PWA officials approved a $94,000 grant for a new courthouse and jail, with the remaining funds to be secured by a county bond issue. Noted OKC architect Walter T. Vahlgert designed the new courthouse directly in front… read more
The Works Progress Administration built the Clinton Armory in Clinton OK. Contributor Note: “The Clinton Armory was built by the WPA between 1935-1937. It was designed by Bryan W. Nolan. The main entrance faces south onto Opal Avenue, across from… read more
Loren Mozley painted this mural “Race for Land” in 1938 for the Treasury Section of Fine Arts. It currently hangs in the City Council chambers.
The Works Progress Administration built the Exhibit & Auction Building at the Clinton Fairgrounds in Clinton OK. Contributor note: “This is a two-story building, with randomly laid native sandstone walls. The roof is flat and the windows are casement units with stone sills… read more
The Works Progress Administration built the Livestock Exhibit Building at the Clinton Fairgrounds in Clinton OK. Contributor Note: “This is a one-story brick livestock building, with a shallow gabled roof. The lower 30 inches of the walls are native sandstone, and large… read more
Originally built as the community’s high school, one of the facilities that makes up what is now Commerce Middle School campus was constructed as a New Deal project. The 136′ x 103′ structure, which features a gymnasium, was “initiated by the… read more
“Built in 1940 by the WPA, this building remains a “Community Building” today. There’s nothing more fun than driving through a small Oklahoma town, rounding a corner, and “discovering” a WPA-constructed building. In Oklahoma, a great many are built out… read more
In 1939 the Federal Works Progress Administration completed construction of this community building. Both the Waymarking site for this building and the Oklahoma Historic Preservation Survey make note of the architectural style of the building which is unique among WPA buildings…. read more
Check out our latest map and guide to the work of the New Deal in Washington, D.C. It includes 500 New Deal sites in the District alone, highlighting 34 notable sites, and includes an inset map of the area around the National Mall which can be used for self-guided walking tours.
Take a look at our previous guides, equally comprehensive, covering key New Deal sites in San Francisco and New York City.
