Puerto Rico Sites

The Civil Works Administration carried out repair and maintenance work on the Mona Island Road on Mona Island.

Municipal Jail under construction in Utuado.

The Civil Works Administration and the Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out new road construction on Palomas Road in Comerio.

The Civil Works Administration and the Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out new road construction on Palos Blancos Road in Corozal.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work in Piedra Gorda in Camuy.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work on Playa Road in Santa Isabel.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration (with funds from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration) and the Civil Works Administration carried out new road construction from Ponce de Leon to Fernandez Junco Ave in San Juan.

The historic main post office building in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico was constructed with Treasury Department funds in 1935. It is the only traditional, fully New Deal post office on the island, and the only one in Puerto Rico that features New Deal artwork. The building was named in honor of Miguel Angel García Méndez in 2007. NRHP: “The United States Post Office and Court House is a two-story, rectangular structure with one story wings at each side. The building sits on a privileged site in Mayagüez, slightly raised, claiming different vistas from town. A concrete and iron fence circles the landscaped area.” “The...

Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration work relief division efforts included the modernization of the municipal power plant on Vieques, ca. 1937.

Youth employed by the National Youth Administration carried out landscaping and upkeep work in Guayanilla's Public Plaza. Through its student work program, the National Youth Administration provided work opportunities and helped Puerto Rican youth graduate high school and college. "By the spring of 1935 though, 20 percent of the nation’s twenty-two million youngsters remained out of school and either on relief or wandering the country looking for work. In 1937, the President stated: 'I have determined, that we shall do something for the nation’s unemployed Youth…' Beneficiaries would be all male and female youths aged 16 to 25 not regularly attending...

The Civil Works Administration and the Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out new road construction on Puerto Diablo Road in Vieques.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work on Puerto Nuevo Road in Vega Baja.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work in Puerto Real in Vieques.

The Civil Works Administration carried out repair and maintenance work on the Punta Tuna Lighthouse Road in Maunabo.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work on Quemados Road in Arecibo.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out new road construction on Ranchera Road in Yauco.

The Civil Works Administration and the Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out new road construction on Rio Abajo Road in Ceiba.

The Civil Works Administration carried out repair and maintenance work on Rio Arriba Road in Fajardo.

The Civil Works Administration and the Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work on Rio Lajas Road in Dorado.

Youth employed by the National Youth Administration carried out work for a road fronting the Losey Airfield (today's Fort Allen Airport). "One of the important defense projects in puerto Rico is the construction of a military road fronting Losey Field. NYA boys quarry the stone, cart it by wheel-barrow and truck, lay it and aid in tar finishing; they also did preliminary excavation and ditch digging. The road is now almost completed. For its construction the boys have cut away and moved half a hill of stone."

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work in Rosario in San Germán.

Part of the Program of School Construction, this one-room school building in Camuy was built by the PRRA. The program focused on increasing enrollment, literacy, and expanding school facilities across the Island. "During the school year 1937-38, 275 buildings were added to the number available last year, an increase of 479 rooms." The exact location and status of this facility are unknown to Living New Deal.

This school dining room was built by the PRRA in Guayanilla. The Program of School Construction focused on creating school facilities in rural areas. “During the school year 1937-38, 275 buildings were added to the number available last year, an increase of 479 rooms. The Federal Government authorized the expenditure of $3.000.000 by the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration for school buildings. Of the original grant, $1,000,000 has been spent.” The exact location and status of this facility are unknown to Living New Deal.

This school dining room was built by the PRRA in Luquillo. The Program of School Construction focused on creating school facilities in rural areas. "During the school year 1937-38, 275 buildings were added to the number available last year, an increase of 479 rooms. The Federal Government authorized the expenditure of $3.000.000 by the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration for school buildings. Of the original grant, $1,000,000 has been spent.” The exact location and status of this facility are unknown to Living New Deal.

This rural school was built by the PRRA in Fajardo. The Program of School Construction focused on creating school facilities in rural areas. "During the school year 1937-38, 275 buildings were added to the number available last year, an increase of 479 rooms. The Federal Government authorized the expenditure of $3.000.000 by the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration for school buildings. Of the original grant, $1,000,000 has been spent.” The exact location and status of this facility are unknown to Living New Deal.

The PRRA established the Program of School Construction to create facilities in rural areas. "During the school year 1937-38, 275 buildings were added to the number available last year, an increase of 479 rooms. The Federal Government authorized the expenditure of $3.000.000 by the Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration for school buildings. Of the original grant, $1,000,000 has been spent.” The exact location and status of this facility are unknown to Living New Deal.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work in Sabana Grande in Lajas.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration built a road segment connecting Salinas to Cayey.

The Civil Works Administration and the Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out new road construction on Saltillo Road in Adjuntas.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out repair and maintenance work in San Joaquin in Adjuntas.

The Army Corps of Engineers, with funds from the National Industrial Recovery Act, carried out improvements in the San Juan Harbor between 1934-1940.

Between 1935 and 1939, WPA crews conducted historic restoration and renovation work at this site, Casa-Torre de Ponce de León, built in 1521 for the notoriously brutal conquistador who died before ever occupying the residence. It is better known as Casa Blanca, or "White House." WPA work included roof repairs, installation of lighting, and creation of a garden. It now houses a museum with information about early colonial life on the island.  

WPA crews conducted extensive renovation and restoration work at this 18th century Spanish fort, including repair of the fortress walls, and cleaning, repairing, and lighting tunnels under the fortress, in order to facilitate tourism.  

Between 1935 and 1939, WPA crews conducted extensive historic restoration and renovation work, including restoration of the fortress walls, at this site, a 16th century fort later used as a military site during WWII.

The Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Administration carried out new road construction on San Lorenzo Road in Juncos.

Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration work relief division efforts included "reconstruction of the ancient Santo Domingo barracks, one of the island's historic edifices dating from the early sixteenth century" in San Juan, in 1937. Also known as Convent of the Dominicans, located with the Galería Nacional / del Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña.

Youth employed by the National Youth Administration carried out rehabilitation work for Guayanilla's public schools. Through its student work program, the National Youth Administration provided work opportunities and helped Puerto Rican youth graduate high school and college. "By the spring of 1935 though, 20 percent of the nation’s twenty-two million youngsters remained out of school and either on relief or wandering the country looking for work. In 1937, the President stated: 'I have determined, that we shall do something for the nation’s unemployed Youth…' Beneficiaries would be all male and female youths aged 16 to 25 not regularly attending school." Excerpt from a...

Youth employed by the National Youth Administration carried out landscaping work for Ponce’s public schools. Through its student work program, the National Youth Administration provided work opportunities and helped Puerto Rican youth graduate high school and college. "By the spring of 1935 though, 20 percent of the nation’s twenty-two million youngsters remained out of school and either on relief or wandering the country looking for work. In 1937, the President stated: 'I have determined, that we shall do something for the nation’s unemployed Youth…' Beneficiaries would be all male and female youths aged 16 to 25 not regularly attending school." Excerpt from...

Multiple small schools across Dorado, Puerto Rico were constructed as a New Deal project with the aid of Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds in 1937. The P.W.A. supplied a $19,000 loan and $13,346 grant for the project, whose total cost was $29,658. The exact locations and statuses of the facilities are unknown to Living New Deal. P.W.A. Docket No. PR-1010-RS

Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration work relief division efforts included "a concrete landing pier ... at Sein Bay, Culebra, where naval vessels and marines assemble for winter maneuvers." The exact location and status of the project are unknown to Living New Deal. Seine Bay is located "just to the eastward of Scorpion Point" (Navigation, pg. 383), which itself is at the southeast side of Target Bay (Results, pg. 248).