Pennsylvania Sites

"The Ligonier Armory is the headquarters of Company F, One Hundred and Third Medical Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and was part of a general program to house properly the military forces of the State. The building provides a drill hall, 60 by 90 feet, a quartermaster's supply room, a troop room, an orderly room, several officers' rooms, and a six-car garage. Its design is extremely simple, the exterior walls being red face brick with parapet coping, sills, and trim of stone. It was completed in June 1938 at a construction cost of...

The New Castle National Guard armory located at Shenango Township, Lawrence County PA was built in 1938 with funding from the Public Works Administration (PWA). The building design is stone Moderne on an "I" floorplan, consisting of a one- to two-story administration building, a connected riding hall and former stable building. One observer notes that, "Ashler stone was used by the Thayer Company of New Castle to design this Romanesque structure, although the NRHP narrative classifies the building as Art Deco (I just don’t see it, but I’m no expert). Like most armories built in Pennsylvania for cavalry units at the time,...

"The Naval Hospital at Philadelphia was authorized by an act of Congress in 1931, but as insufficient funds were appropriated the buildings were completed with the aid of P.W.A. The site is a 22-acre plot north of League Island Park and the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The project includes the main hospital building, a nurses' home, corpsmen's quarters, four officers' quarters, a garage, film-storage building, greenhouse, and the necessary services, roads, and walks. The main hospital building is 13 stories in height. It has a normal capacity of 650 patients in 30-bed wards and single rooms, but...

Nazareth Boro Park (also spelled Nazareth Borough Park) was begun in 1935 as a WPA project. Stone walls, a foot bridge, and an automobile bridge were among the features constructed. By 1937, a bathhouse and an 18,500 square foot swimming pool had been constructed. The pool was replaced in 2015 due to structural damage. The bridges and stone walls and entrance to the park remain. The automobile bridge has WPA 1939 chiseled into the rock.

"NEW GUARDHOUSE, opposite Catharine Street, was built by WPA workmen. The new building is Georgian Colonial in design and constructed of gray stone with dark blue slate roof. The stone used in the building was taken from an old mill demolished by WPA labor. Herman Miller, WPA architect, designed the building. On the first floor, the center hall is the roll room off which is an ante-room used by the Fairmount Park guards as a private office for the sergeant. The north wing is used by the park maintenance fore- man as a tool shop and blacksmith forge. The south wing houses the stable for guard horses. The second...

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided funding toward the paving of previously unpaved roads in Scranton, Pennsylvania. "The second-costliest job was North Bromley Avenue from Lafayette Street to Oram Street, at an estimated $51,196."

"WPA’s legacy is visible today in those and many other ways. Among projects in Wilkes-Barre were the retaining walls along North Main Street and Hazle Avenue ..." The exact location of the along North Main Street of the wall is unknown to Living New Deal.

"The improvements provided by this project for North Park, a unit of the Allegheny County park system, consist of the construction of an artificial lake, new and relocated highways, docks, and a boathouse and accessories. The lake was formed by the construction of an earth dam with a concrete spillway, the dam providing a park boulevard on its crest which crosses the spillway on a stone-faced bridge. The boathouse, faced with local stone, is on a low peninsula opposite the dam and is provided with an ample automobile parking space. The project was completed in October...

The historic red-brick North Philadelphia Station post office was built in 1935. Constructed with federal Treasury Department funds, the building is still in use today. It houses a collection of New Deal artwork in the lobby.

The post office contains several Section of Fine Arts tempera murals painted by George Harding in 1939. The murals depict "Mail Delivery," "City," "Country," "Northern Coast," "Office," "Home," "Tropics," and "History of Mail Transportation by Water.

Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds enabled "the modernization of the North Side Municipal Market in Pittsburgh ..." The exact location and building status is presently unknown to Living New Deal.

North Street in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania was constructed as a New Deal work relief project. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the street to connect Ridge Avenue to the rapidly developing Canonsburg Town Park (and new pool). The work was conducted as part of a $20,000 appropriation that also served to improve the park.

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) conducted a sewer project on North Street in York, Pennsylvania.

Reading, Pennsylvania's historic Northwest Branch Library was constructed during the Great Depression with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. PWA Docket No. X2138

The Public Works Administration funded the construction of Northwest Junior High School, completed in 1935. Windows and doors were recently replaced, but the school retains its original elements. Muhlenberg Greene Architects (at the time of construction was called Muhlenberg, Yerkes, and Muhlenberg), was one of the six Architectural Firms coordinating with the School District of Reading, Pennsylvania to create the new Junior High School Building. The photographs and a blueprints of the floor plan are from the Muhlenberg Greene Architects archives.

Built in 1939 with PWA funds, the Northwest Office Building was originally supposed to be part of an expanded Capitol complex that never came to pass. The building is now used as headquarters for the Pennsylvania Liquor Board.

WPA workers constructed a stone wall along part of the northern portions of Oak Lane in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The second Oakland Avenue Viaduct in Sharon, Pennsylvania opened on Christmas Day 1936 and was demolished June 23, 2001. The structure was built as a New Deal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration . The PWA provided a $72,396 grant toward this $158,074 project. The bridge bore an aluminum Public Works Administration plaque featuring the names of the Mercer County commissioners, engineer, solicitor, and contractor. (For some reason date "1938" was placed on the plaque.) PWA Docket No. 1168R

Ohio River Boulevard, a.k.a. 65th Infantry Division Memorial Highway, through Haysville and Glenfield, was one road paved as part of New Deal efforts, sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). Pittsburgh Press: "Among the six miles of roads to be paved by PWA are the Allegheny River Blvd. extension, Ingomar Road, Buttermilk Hollow Rd., General Logan Blvd. to South Park, and part of the Ohio River Boulevard through Haysville and Glenfield."

"Careful research has been done and is continuing and the whole restoration is by no means complete. The part undertaken with P.W.A. aid was completed in July 1938 at a construction cost of $32,164 and a project cost of $37,175."

Believed to be what is now known as West Lake Road north of Turnersville, Pennsylvania, what was then 'old Highway 322' was re-developed by multiple New Deal agencies. The Civil Works Administration (CWA) started work on the grading and filling project in 1934, and it was completed in 1941 by the Work Projects Administration (WPA).

Pennsylvania State University's Osmond Laboratory 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 today.

The federal Civil Works Administration (CWA) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked to develop and otherwise improve Memorial Park in Grove City, Pennsylvania during the 1930s.

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) provided labor for the development of Park Drive in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The work was conducted in tandem with development on the park and its pool. "On Monday, November 19, 1934, ... 83 men reported to work. The work force was set to ... road that would wind around the pool high on the hillside (Park Drive)."

3 CCC camps were actively involved in the park's development from 1933-1942. In addition to repairing the pond and building Parker Dam, the CCC cleared beaches and bought a bathhouse and other bathing facilities. They also carried out extensive reforestation efforts, and built miles of roads, trails and bridges. Some traces of the CCC camps still remain.

A restroom facility in Pastorius Park, northwest Philadelphia, was constructed by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1937. A stone stating such can be found beneath a circular vent on the building.

Pennsylvania State University's Pattee Library 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, which has since been added to, is still in use today.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed stone ovens and a stone comfort station at what was then Paxtang Park in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

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." One article referred to the location as being "on property at the west end of Bedford, near the Junction of Pitt and Penn streets;" the physical address of the building is 630 E Penn St.

Construction of the PennDOT facility on E Bishop St. in Bellefonte was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building's construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $54,218 grant for the project, whose total cost was $124,122. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread field forces. This program was launched,...

Construction of the PennDOT facility on Pittsburgh Rd. in Franklin was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building’s construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $54,788 grant for the project, whose total cost was $125,412. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread field forces. This program was launched,...

Construction of the PennDOT facility on Lincoln Hwy. in Lancaster was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building's construction in 1937-8, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $80,346 grant for the project, whose total cost was $190,761. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread field forces. This program...

Construction of the PennDOT facility on W 4th St. in Lewistown was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building's construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $54,425 grant for the project, whose total cost was $128,452. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread field forces. This program was...

Construction of the PennDOT facility at 716 Jordan Ave. in Montoursville was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building's construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $53,525 grant for the project, whose total cost was $124,323. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread field forces. This program...

Construction of the PennDOT facility in Montrose was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building’s construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $58,050 grant for the project, whose total cost was $141,442. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread field forces. This program was launched, immediately after inception...

Construction of the PennDOT facility on Witherow St. in Punxsutawney was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building's construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $59,175 grant for the project, whose total cost was $128,829. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread field forces. This program...

Construction of the PennDOT facility on N Center Ave. in Somerset was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building’s construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $52,841 grant for the project, whose total cost was $121,185. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread field forces. This program was launched,...

Construction of the PennDOT facility on N 5th Street Hwy. in Temple (north of Reading) was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building's construction in 1937, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $78,690 grant for the project, whose total cost was $179,990. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread...

Construction of the PennDOT garage / building on Herr Street in Harrisburg was undertaken as a New Deal project: the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building's construction in 1939. The News-Chronicle: "STATE GARAGE JOB SCHEDULED: Building for Offices of Two Districts Planned. The site of a proposed $375,000 new highway garage in Dauphin county, to house offices of Districts 7 and 8, will be at Twenty-first and Herr streets, Harrisburg, along the U. S. Route 22 by-pass. Bids for erection of the structure are expected to be opened within six weeks, Secretary of...

Construction of the PennDOT Maintenance Office building on Fox Chapel Road in Pittsburgh was undertaken as part of a sizable a New Deal project; the then-Department of Highways and Public Works Administration (PWA) provided the funds for the building's construction in 1937-8, along with many similar structures in other parts of Pennsylvania. The PWA provided a $85,815 grant for the project, whose total cost was $226,920. "Construction of 19 new garage and office buildings in as many counties has just been completed by the Department of Highways ... marking another forward step in the drive to develop maximum efficiency among our widespread field forces. This...