Oklahoma Sites

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) re-engineered what had been a sharp and dangerous curve taking Old U.S. 77 under train tracks north of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Living New Deal believes this work to have occurred at the coordinates provided. The current route of U.S. 77 skirts this intersection.

"CCC Company 895 was organized at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and sent to Hosa Lodge, Colorado, on June 17, 1933. The Company moved to Rainbow Lakes (Camp SP-1-C) in Nederland, Colorado on June 30, 1933. On October 1, 1933, the company moved to Lincoln Park (Camp SP-2-0) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On June 6, 1935, at the end of a fund drive, citizens of Bartlesville and Pawhuska had raised enough money to buy the property that would become Osage Hills State Park. Preliminary construction of the Osage Hills CCC camp buildings began on October 4, 1935, by a local team of about...

"The Osage Tribal Museum, originally constructed in 1872, is housed in a building finished with native Oklahoma sandstone.  Originally used as a chapel, school and dormitory as a two-story structure with an auditorium, it was remodeled in 1937 as a one-story building and museum.  Each stone was carefully removed and put back.  The building's cupola was retained and is a distinguishing feature of the edifice... The adaptive reuse of the building to a museum was funded as a Public Works Administration (WPA) project and carried out by the CCC.  At the time of its opening in 1938, it was the only museum in the...

Located northeast of Afton, Oklahoma, the former Oseuma school building was built by the WPA ca. 1936-7. Built of "cut random ashlar", the building measured 34' x 18'. A building fitting much of the description given in the linked historical survey can be found using satellite imagery, near given coordinates, on the west side of S 550 Rd. Imagery suggests that the building is abandoned and in a state of extreme disrepair, likely crumbling. Additional information is requested to confirm the identity of the building.

“The WPA-built red brick gymnasium built in Paoli appears neat and new.” "Above the windows is a continuous row of standing brick. The entrance is slightly recessed, flanked by three-tiered brick columns which are topped with stone. Across this entrance is a course of stone, which is level with the standing brick across the front of the building. The double aluminum and glass entry doors have wood paneling above, painted blue, which reads "Paoli Gym 1936"."   (https://www.waymarking.com)

The Pawnee bathhouse was built by the WPA in 1939: "The Pawnee Bath House, a WPA (Work Projects Administration) project built of hand-cut native stone with terraced stairway and landscaping, including a three acre lake for swimming, was originally intended to not only bring needed jobs for the area, but to also provide recreation for Pawnee and the surrounding communities. The project was an immediate success with the Grand Opening featuring a water carnival and dignitary visitation to include the Governor of Oklahoma along with the US WPA project coordinator. The bath house and swimming hole was a popular spot for...

The Pecan Bowl was constructed as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. “Stadiums, like schools, came in many styles and colors, perhaps according to available rock or style of the nearby school. The Pecan Bowl in Okemah is especially attractive. The Okemah Stadium was built in an amphitheatre style, using a natural slope in the ground. It has dark red sandstone, typical of central and western Oklahoma.”

Built by the WPA in 1936, the pedestrian tunnel provided safe passage under U.S. Highway 66, and was used by children to get to an elementary school on the west side of the highway. The school no longer stands and this section of former Highway 66, now Rock Island Avenue, carries only local traffic.

Located at the intersection of Route 66 (N 4th St) and W Elm St is a pedestrian underpass that acted as a walkway to provide safety from Route 66 traffic in addition to acting as a severe weather shelter. The underpass appears to still be in use based off the photos. A WPA plaque located inside the entrance to the east shelter notes its New Deal connection.

“Construction on the Pensacola Dam that formed Grand Lake in northeast Oklahoma began when President Roosevelt approved $41 million in WPA funds for the project in September, 1937. The marker at the sight of the dam had no indication of any workers being supplied with WPA funds, but an Oklahoma Educational Television Authority documentary made reference to the WPA workers at that site. On the marker, the Federal Works Agency (FWA) and Public Works Administration (PWA) are recognized. At the time of completion, WPA was officially under the umbrella of FWA. PWA had been terminated.” --Leaning on a Legacy

"In 1937 the public school system was in serious need of a building program, but the two previous bond issues were not yet paid off and, because of the Depression, the valuation of the district had dropped drastically.  These circumstance would allow for only a small bond issue.  However, with the help of government funds made available through the W.P.A. and small bond issue, several major building projects were completed; the Manual Arts building in 1937, the Band building in 1939. "   (https://perry.k12.ok.us) The current Perry High School has several new buildings. These WPA buildings are still standing, but it is...

Also called CCC Park, Perry Lake Park was built by the CCC during the Great Depression. The lake, dock and picnic shelters remain.   A plaque at the park provides a history of this site: "The creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 gave promise to many communities affected by the Great Depression of the 30's. Through the cooperative efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, city officials and interested citizens, 170 acres of land referred to as 'The Perry City Farm' was designated as the site for a CCC Camp. Will Rogers, at the time Oklahoma's...

The since-abandoned Picher High School campus includes three WPA structures dating to 1936: the Hayman athletic field, a gymnasium, and a vocational education building. Due to unique environmental circumstances the town has been dissolved and its residents forced to vacate. The school is abandoned and may be demolished. OKHistory: "The massive (264' x 572') wall is constructed of coarse, uncut native stone on the interior and poured concrete on the exterior. ... The gymnasium measures 100' by 99' and is constructed from random ashlar of an orange color. It has an arched roof with parapets capped with concrete. Concrete additions to...

"Throughout rural Oklahoma, the school becomes more than a place of education—it becomes a community center, a place to gather for events and share a common experience. In Oklahoma, nothing brings a community together more than sports and the school gymnasium becomes the place to be on game night. Designed by architect Walter T. Vahlberg, the Pocasset Gymnasium was constructed from local materials and completed in 1941. The construction of the building itself brought the citizens of the area together. Constructed as part of the Works Progress Administration, the project provided relief to the people of Grady County dealing with the...

"The city erected the new building which is one and part two stories in height. It contains a reading room for adults, a junior reading room, children's room, reference room, delivery room, workroom, and a librarian's room, as well as the necessary stack space. It is a semifireproof structure with light-colored brick walls elaborately trimmed with terra cotta. The foundation walls and floors are reinforced concrete. The project was completed in December 1935 at a construction cost of $80,019 and a project cost of $100,644."

The Works Progress Administration built a Pool and Bathhouse in Weatherford OK. Contributor note: "As originally built in 1936, this was a flat-roofed brick building, with brick pilasters flanking the entrances. A bronze plaque on the bathhouse indicates the Weatherford Municipal Pool and the year 1996. We cannot confirm, but it appears that the pool and bathhouse were renovated in that year. Today, the pool is a very active source of summer recreation for the town. It is located at 600 N. Indiana in the Means Park area. The WPA bathhouse is far different from what it looked like before. It now has a...

The Works Progress Administration built the Popes Chapel School in Warner. This  4-room, single story school measuring 49 x 55 feet is constructed of irregular blocks of red sandstone. It is currently a private home, though the alterations in the structure have not changed the school significantly. The school was designed by the Oklahoma State Department of Instruction.

The historic post office building in Alva, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which was completed in 1936, is still in use today.

The historic Anadarko post office building and Kiowa Indian Agency building was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal artwork, was completed in 1936 and is still in use today.

The historic Bristow post office building as constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building was completed in 1935 and is still in use today. Additional contributor notes: "The Bristow post office is a one-story building with a stucco finish, in a Mediterranean style. The flat roof has a tile coping and narrow roof on the projected entrance bay.  The entrance is centered on the facade and has two glass doors. The entrance is flanked by two nine-over-nine double hung windows and the three openings have large segmented fanlights. The outer bays have a single un-arched window. A handicap ramp has...

The historic post office building in Coalgate, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses a New Deal mural in its lobby, was completed in 1941 and is still in use today.

The historic post office in Cordell, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal artwork, was completed in 1937 and is still in use today.

The historic post office in Cushing, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building was completed in 1935 and is still in use today.

The historic post office in Drumright, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal artwork, was completed in 1940 and is still in use today.

The historic post office in Eufaula, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building was completed in 1939 and is still in use today.

The historic post office in Holdenville, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building was completed in 1935 and is still in use today.

The historic post office in Hollis, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal artwork inside, was completed in 1940 and is still in use today.

The historic post office building in Madill, Oklahoma was constructed ca. 1938-9 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses a New Deal mural inside, is still in use today.

The historic post office in Mangum, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building was completed in 1936 and is still in use today.

The historic post office building in Marietta, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which was completed in 1940, houses New Deal artwork inside and is still in use today.

The historic Marlow, Oklahoma post office was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which was completed in 1940, houses a New Deal mural in its lobby and is still in use today. Cattle Days - Marlow, OK - WPA Projects on Waymarking.com

The historic post office in Nowata, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal artwork inside, was completed in 1940 and is still in use today.

The post office in Okemah was completed in 1938 with funds provided by the Treasury Department. It is also the site of Walter Richard "Dick" West's 1941 mural, "Grand Council of 1842," completed with funds provided by the federal government and viewable in the lobby.  

The historic post office in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building was completed in 1936 and is still in use today.

The historic post office in Pawhuska, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal artwork inside, was completed in 1937 and is still in use today.

The historic post office building in Perry, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which was completed in 1939, is still in use today. A New Deal mural that had been housed in the post office lobby has since been relocated to a nearby museum.

The historic post office in Poteau, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal artwork inside, was constructed in 1936-7 and is still in use today.

The historic post office in Purcell, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal artwork inside, was completed in 1939 and is still in use today.

The historic post office in Sayre, Oklahoma was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal artwork inside, was completed in 1939 and is still in use today.

The post office in Seminole was completed in 1937 with funds provided by the Treasury Department. Bertram E. Giesecke was the architect, supervised by Louis A. Simon. Neal A. Melick was the supervising engineer. It is also the site of Acee Blue Eagle's 1939 mural, "Seminole Indian Village Scene," completed with funds provided by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts and viewable in the lobby.