The W.P.A. helped to develop what was then known as the Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton airport, now Lehigh Valley International Airport. Wikipedia: “The airport hangar served as the passenger terminal; the first terminal building at the airport was built in 1938 as a Works… read more
The Pennsylvania National Guard armory building at W Allen St. and 15th St. in Allentown was originally constructed in the late 1930s as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $40,000 grant for the project, whose… read more
The East Side Reservoir was one of two giant reservoirs constructed during the mid-1930s as a New Deal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The reservoir is presently covered and part of a municipal park. The Morning Call: “This… read more
Mcall.com article: Union Terrace, Jordan Park, Fountain Park and the Lehigh Parkway in Allentown and Saucon Park, Monocacy Park and Franklin Park at Sand Island in Bethlehem were built under WPA and its precursor[s] … “Probably it would have… read more
Mcall.com article: Union Terrace, Jordan Park, Fountain Park and the Lehigh Parkway in Allentown and Saucon Park, Monocacy Park and Franklin Park at Sand Island in Bethlehem were built under WPA and its precursor[s] … “Probably it would have… read more
Retaining walls constructed along Union St., Junction St., and Martin Luther King Jr., were constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Lehigh Parkway is a large public park along the Little Lehigh River in Allentown. Along with much of the rest of Allentown’s park system, Lehigh was developed largely by the WPA. “The stone wall in Lehigh Parkway may be the… read more
Allentown’s main post office building was constructed in 1933-4 with Treasury Department funds. Deco details abound, and the building houses a substantial set of murals commissioned by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts. “Built in 1933-1934, the Allentown Post Office’s… read more
The interior of the Allentown post office is a ten-panel series of murals produced in 1937-1938 by New York artist Gifford Reynolds Beal (1879-1956). Each deals with a theme from Allentown history. The murals are respectively titled: Cement Industry Departure… read more
The South Mountain Reservoir was one of two giant reservoirs constructed during the mid-1930s as a New Deal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The reservoir is presently covered and part of a municipal park. The Morning Call:… read more
A sizable retaining wall and pedestrian staircase were constructed by the W.P.A. on the north side of Union Street, between S. 10th St. and S. Poplar St.. An inscription on the Union Street retaining wall west of the staircase entrance declares:… read more
“The stone steps that run from Union Street down to Martin Luther King Boulevard in Allentown were built by WPA.” mcall.com, 2011: “[T]he stairway from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, once Lawrence Street, stretches from Fountain Park to the Union… read more
Referring to projects accomplished by the Public Works Administration, The Indiana Gazette writes in 1937: “Five combination garage and office buildings at Allentown, Carlisle, New Castle, Bedford and Greensburg, have been built for the State Highway Department. These modern structures will house… read more
Allentown’s historic and distinctive Union Terrace Amphitheater was constructed by the WPA. A brook separates the terraced viewing area from the stage. Stone structures, including stairs, abound. Mcall.com article: Union Terrace, Jordan Park, Fountain Park and the Lehigh Parkway in… 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.
