• City Park - Anson TX
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) began work on the development of a city park, swimming pool, and golf course in January 1939. Bath houses, seats, wading pool, bandstand, rock veneer golf house with showers, and picnic tables of rock veneer and concrete were also constructed. The WPA provided a grant of approximately $45,000 and the city voted $12,000 in bonds to construct the swimming pool and municipal park. Engineer Cecil Hauk drew plans for the project. Frank H. Spicer of the WPA was in charge. The project was estimated to take ten months and initially employed 54 men. The park...
  • High School Auditorium (demolished) - Anson TX
    The Anson High School Auditorium was built in 1936 at a cost of $30,000, 45% of which was furnished by the Public Works Administration. The auditorium officially opened on December 31, 1936. It was demolished in 1997 to make room for the current auditorium complex, which also houses a band hall and offices.
  • Pioneer Hall - Anson TX
    Located in Anson's City Park, construction on Pioneer Hall began in 1938 and was completed in 1940. The Hall is 71’ wide and 121’ long with a “barrel” roof concealed by stone façade on its front side. The exterior is constructed of native stone that was provided by Works Project Administration (WPA) workers. In 1885, M. G. Rhodes hosted a wedding party and dance at his Star Hotel in Anson. One guest was Larry Chittenden, a salesman and writer visiting his uncle in Jones County. He was so inspired by the dance held that night for the cowboys and ladies that...
  • Post Office - Anson TX
    Built in 1938 with federal funding.
  • Post Office Mural - Anson TX
    The historic Anson post office houses an example of New Deal artwork: an oil-on-canvas mural entitled "Cowboy Dance," painted by Jenne Magafan in 1941. The work was commissioned by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts.