Allentown Sites

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 Projects Administration (WPA) project."

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 total cost was $122,779. Primary construction occurred in 1936-7. PWA Docket No. 1847.

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 project, which is rapidly approaching completion, is making possible the construction of extensive water works improvements - which will assure the residents of Allentown a plentiful supply of good water. This large Public Words Administration project provided for the construction of two masonry distribution reservoirs having a combined capacity of approximately 35,000,000 gallons along with necessary extensions to the distribution system." The...

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 ...   "Probably it would have taken 50 years of slow progress to accomplish what has been done under WPA in two years," Robert J. Wheeler, then-secretary to the Allentown Planning Commission, told The Morning Call in 1937.

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 ...   "Probably it would have taken 50 years of slow progress to accomplish what has been done under WPA in two years," Robert J. Wheeler, then-secretary to the Allentown Planning Commission, told The Morning Call in 1937.

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 most recognizable relic. Under the WPA, the 700-foot-long wall was built to support the road that runs above it. At its highest point, two decorative turrets frame a staircase that allows people to reach the park from the road."   (https://articles.mcall.com) The WPA also built a boat landing and other structures in Lehigh Parkway.

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 Art Deco design adds a touch of distinction to a rather simple building. On the interior is a 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 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 of the Jordan Rifles Iron Industry in Lehigh Valley Kimmett's Lock Lehigh County Barn Signs Liberty Bell Pennsylvania-German Riflemen The Walking Purchase Transportation Trout Hall

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: "This project, which is rapidly approaching completion, is making possible the construction of extensive water works improvements — which will assure the residents of Allentown a plentiful supply of good water. This large Public Words Administration project provided for the construction of two masonry distribution reservoirs having a combined capacity of approximately 35,000,000 gallons along with necessary extensions to the distribution...

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: "Constructed by the Works Progress Administration and the City of Allentown, 1937."

"The stone steps that run from Union Street down to Martin Luther King Boulevard in Allentown were built by WPA." mcall.com, 2011: "he stairway from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, once Lawrence Street, stretches from Fountain Park to the Union Street retaining wall, which is 50 feet high and two blocks long. Homes clung to the hillside at Lawrence Street, just steps from the barbed-wire factories that once occupied the open field. "For them, it was very difficult to get up and down that hillside," Whelan said. So the WPA built stairs." The staircase features one entrance on Martin Luther King Boulevard (at S 10th St.),...

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 the road equipment used by the Highway Department and will provide adequate office space for its maintenance forces." This building, identified by Lehigh County assessment details as being constructed during the 1930s, is still being used by the Transportation Department (now PennDOT).

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 Allentown and Saucon Park, Monocacy Park and Franklin Park at Sand Island in Bethlehem were built under WPA and its precursor ... "Probably it would have taken 50 years of slow progress to accomplish what has been done under WPA in two years," Robert J. Wheeler, then-secretary to the Allentown Planning Commission, told The Morning Call in 1937.