Sweetwater Sites

In the summer of 1933, the City of Sweetwater offered land on Lake Sweetwater to the State of Texas in exchange for the state developing a park. Development started with the Civil Works Administration in the winter of 1933 with construction of a refectory at the site. In fall 1934, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 1823(V) arrived to continue work. The company was a mix of white and black enrollees. Six months later the unit became the state's only all black company. As a result, politicians demanded the removal of the camp, and the company moved to Lake Abilene State Park. While...

In March, 1939 the federal government approved $65,000 for a new football stadium in Sweetwater, Texas. Texas Senator Tom Connally and U.S. Representative from Texas Clyde L. Garrett received credit for getting the project signed off. The Works Project Administration built the stadium in 1939. The Mustang Bowl seats 7,500 in the bleachers and 9,500 in the tiered concrete embankments around the end zones. The bleachers were originally wood sitting on grass, but were changed to metal on concrete in 1972. Other improvements over the years include new restrooms and press box in 1959 and new concession stand, restrooms and railings...

The National Youth Administration built park facilities in Nolan Park. While I didn't find the "Community House" pictured I found multiple other facilities that appear to be NYA construction. Picnic Tables, Small Building, Pavilion, possible water feature, and a bridge. A newspaper Article from 1940 says in part: "Construction of a shelter house in city park at Sweetwater complete with picnic tables and benches, restrooms and tool shed. Federal funds were $1,936.94 and $862.78 for sponsors. "

The Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway and Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway Overpass is a two-lane reinforced-concrete highway bridge that conveys West Broadway Street over railroad tracks in downtown Sweetwater. The Texas Highway Department in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Public Roads provided the design and financing for the bridge in 1935. The design includes ornate detailing in concrete along the railings and concrete light standards along each side of the bridge, The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the Sweetwater Commercial Historic District on June 7, 1984.

The city of Sweetwater, Texas received an $81,000 grant from the PWA for road paving.

The Sweetwater Hospital in Nolan County, eventually renamed Simmons Memorial Hospital, was the first official hospital in Sweetwater, Texas. The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the SweetWater Memorial Hospital in 1936. Sweetwater Hospital was an L-shaped one-story brick hospital, which cost around $85,000 in bond issues. The PWA funded the construction of  a hospital with the most "modern practices'' and hospital designs. The vicinity could accommodate up to 34 patients, which was enough for the small town, and included medical rooms, maternity wards, operating rooms, and air conditioning. However, the city needed to solicit bids in January for...