Philadelphia’s first public housing project, the Carl Mackley Houses (also known as Juniata Park Housing), was financed by the Housing Division of the federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA supplied a $1,030,000 loan for the project, whose eventual total cost… read more
“Stone retaining walls that line streets and highways throughout the region — along Route 611 in Easton, Spruce Street in Tamaqua and Carlton Avenue in Bethlehem — were WPA projects.” This approximately 350-foot-long retaining wall begins on Carlton Avenue halfway… read more
In 1933-4 federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) “workers in Pittsburgh had helped move the forty-two-story Cathedral of Learning at the heart of the University of Pittsburgh closer to completion.”
Originally constructed as a training school, what is now the Center for Hospitality Management at East Stroudsburg University was one of four buildings constructed as a New Deal project. Work was sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA).
Greenwich’s Central Fire Station was constructed in 1937-9 as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $119,250 grant for the project, whose total cost was $326,788. PWA Docket No. CT [W]1274. CTHistory: “In February 1936 the Board of… read more
The present Central High School building in Philadelphia was constructed as a New Deal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1,084,950 grant for the project, which was undertaken in 1937-1938. PWA Docket No. PA [W]1549. C.W. Short and R…. read more
"This little building provides elementary school facilities for the township of Manor, which is an agricultural district lying along the Susquehanna River. It is one story in height with a partial basement and provides four classrooms. The project included the… read more
Pottsville, Pennsylvania’s historic city hall was constructed between April 1936 and March 1937 with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided an $82,636 grant for the project, whose total cost was $205,060. The building, which… read more
Architect John Reilly designed plans to rebuild the Easton City Hall, March 7, 1933, following damage by fire in December 1932. City Council approved application to Civil Works Administration December 1933. Construction began in January 1934. Work on CWA funded… read more
“Beautification of City Hall itself was begun in the autumn of 1936, when a large crew of WPA workers started the gigantic task of cleaning the million square feet of stone composing the building’s exterior. Twenty tons of pipe and… read more
Reading, Pennsylvania’s City Hall was built in 1904 as a high school and became the city hall in 1928. The WPA helped to clean and paint the building during the New Deal.
Reading, Pennsylvania’s historic City Park Fireman’s Memorial Bandshell was constructed during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. “The City Park Fireman’s Memorial Bandshell was dedicated on Labor Day in 1939. The Bandshell, located… read more
“Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects employed thousands of local workers on municipal projects that would improve the lives of city residents. The construction workers shown here in 1936 were widening Vintage Avenue (later renamed Civic Center Boulevard) in West Philadelphia…. read more
A project: “grade separation (clover leaf) on Lebanon Church Road,” entailing the construction of a bridge carrying Clairton Blvd., was undertaken in Pittsburgh as part of a New Deal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The structure bears a PWA plaque.
Then known as Clarion State Teachers College, Clarion University benefited during the Great Depression from a large construction project enabled by the federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA provided a $120,278 grant for the project, whose final cost was $338,391. Construction… read more
The federal Civil Works Administration constructed a sanitary sewer along Clarksville Street in Greenville, Pennsylvania between 1933 and 1934. The road continues to be a major artery in the town.
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania’s historic Clinton County Courthouse was built in 1867. It was expanded during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $44,730 grant for the project, whose total cost… read more
“On the west rim of Pine Creek Gorge, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, the 368-acre Colton Point State Park resonates with the rustic charm of the Civilian Conservation Corps era of the 1930s. The rugged overlooks offer great views of the… read more
The Public Works Administration (PWA) sponsored construction of the Stoneboro Community Building, providing a $17,397 grant for the eventual $40,374 total project cost. PWA Docket No. PA [X]2059.
The federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) worked to develop what is now known as Connelly Blvd. in Sharon, Pennsylvania in 1934. Then known as Pine Hollow Blvd., work involved “cutting, draining, filling and paving of the boulevard route, from South… read more
The Cook Forest Association was formed in the 1920s to protect old growth pines from logging. In 1927, Cook Forest became a state park and would later become designated a Natural National Landmark. “On March 31, 1933, President Franklin D…. read more
The Log Cabin Inn was originally built and used by the Civilian Conservation Corps as living quarters. Later it was used as a restaurant. Today the park uses the building as a museum and education center. The Log Cabin Inn… read more
A street improvement project was undertaken in downtown Tarentum as part of a New Deal project, sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). According to the Pittsburgh Press the project involved “widening Corbet Street between Third and Fourth Avenues.” PWA Docket No. PA [W]1252
Charleroi Stadium, or Cougar Stadium, was built in 1937 as a New Deal project: the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $36,818 grant for the school construction project in Bradford, whose total cost was $84,311. “By any name, it has been… read more
Curry Hollow Road was constructed in 1938-9 as part of a New Deal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). PWA Docket No. PA [X]2106 The Pittsburgh Press: “Another grant of $203,453 has been made for Curry Hollow Highway, connecting Route 51 and Broughton, which will… read more
Originally constructed as a dining hall, what is now the DeNike Center for Human Services at East Stroudsburg University was one of four buildings constructed as a New Deal project. Work was sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA).
In 1934-1935, the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania built a differential analyzer, an early type of computer. Designed by Oscar Schuck, it was the second of its kind – the first differential analyzer was constructed… read more
Among a set of 26 WPA projects approved for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in Sept. 1935 was the “grading, paving and curbing of East End avenue” in eastern Pittsburgh. The Federal government allocated $1,818 for the project and local sponsors contributed… read more
“WPA’s legacy is visible today in those and many other ways” in Wilkes-Barre. “Travel was made easier when the East End Boulevard was straightened out and crucial highway links in the Back Mountain and West Side areas were constructed, all… read more
East Lampeter Township in Pennsylvania received a new school building in 1937 as part of a New Deal project; the facility was financed in part by the Public Works Administration. The PWA supplied a $50,768 grant for the project, whose total cost… read more
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built East Park in Connellsville, Pennsylvania between 1936 and 1940. “In January 1936, Connellsville came together for suggestions to transform the dump back into a more recreational attraction….This transformation started in 1936 and continued until… 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
Then known as the East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania benefited during the Great Depression from a large construction project enabled by the federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA provided a $202,000 grant for the project,… read more
Then known as Edinboro State Teachers College, Edinboro University benefited during the Great Depression from a large construction project enabled by the federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA provided a $228,000 grant for the project, whose final cost was $719,763…. read more
Philadelphia’s Edward W. Bok Technical High School was constructed with federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds between 1936 and 1938.
Originally constructed as a high school, what is now Eisenhower Middle School in Norristown, PA was built as a New Deal project: the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $487,086 grant for the project, whose total cost was $1,114,009. Construction was… read more
Johnstown, Pennsylvania’s Tribune-Democrat reported in 2012 that the Election House in Stonycreek Township, PA (in the village of Shanksville) was “constructed through President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. It dates to about 1936 and voting has been held there… read more
Pennsylvania State University’s Electrical Engineering West was one of a dozen buildings constructed on the campus during the Great Depression as part of a massive construction project enabled by the federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The building is still in use… read more
This is one of three subway stations along the Broad Street subway line, south of City Hall, whose construction was enabled by federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. As a result of this project the subway was extended from Lombard South Station… read more
Originally known as “Port Erie Airport,” what is now Erie International Airport was developed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the 1930s. “Besides the privately-owned airport at Fairview, a modern airport, Port Erie, was completed in 1937 by the… read more