New Deal Projects – Page 6

Street Improvements – Medical Lake WA

A WPA press release from Jan. 1938 reported that city streets in Medical Lake, Washington were to be improved with a WPA grant of $10,309.

Street Improvements – Pe Ell WA

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 reported that “Pe Ell started a street project with $6,880 from W.P.A. funds.”

Street Improvements – Shelton WA

A WPA press release from Jan. 1938 reported that city streets in Shelton, Washington were to be improved with a WPA grant of $9,493.

Street Improvements – Tacoma WA

One WPA project involved “considerable work to be done in Tacoma on Tacoma Avenue and Cleveland and Hendricks streets,” a project which was “allotted $41,892 of WPA funds and will provide employment fer about 179 men to be taken from… read more

Street Improvements – Whidbey Island WA

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 reported that a road project on Whidbey Island received $23,002 in WPA funds.

Street Lights – Wapato WA

The extension of Wapato’s street lighting system was a federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the late 1930s.

Street Paving – Auburn WA

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 states: “An Auburn street paving project begins this week, giving 175 men jobs for nine months with a W.P.A. allotment of $93.509.”

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Totem Pole – La Conner WA

The carving of the Swinomish Totem Pole was a WPA project on the Swinomish Indian Reservation from 1937-1938. Tribal member Charlie Edwards carved a 61’ log into a visual representation of traditional teachings and guiding spirits that had formerly been… read more

Swinomish Model Village – Swinomish Reservation WA

In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt allotted $2,000,000 in emergency rural rehabilitation funds to the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs (OIA). Out of this sum, OIA sent $32,000 (about $607,000 in 2020 dollars) to the Swinomish Indian Reservation for an… read more

Tacoma County Bridges – Tacoma WA

One of many PWA and WPA projects in Washington state: “$314,768 was allocated for the replacement and repairing of 11 bridges in Tacoma/ Pierce County. All of the bridges were either already shut down or were scheduled to be shut… read more

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (former) – Tacoma WA

“The bridge connects Tacoma to areas such as Gig Harbor on the Kitsap Peninsula. Funded by the Public Works Administration (PWA), it was 2,800 feet between the two the two towers. “Everyone marveled, at the gossamer of a structure so… read more

Tacoma Water Supply – Ravensdale WA

” Tacoma Water Supply Program for 1937 The Water Division of the City of Tacoma has plans completed for a construction program during 1937 amounting to $1,566,000. An application for a $705,000 PWA grant on this project has already been… read more

Terminal 91 Improvements – Seattle WA

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 announced: A project, “giving employment to 150 men, will operate in Seattle cleaning up Smith Cove Piers 40 and 41. It is designed to lead the way to the modernization of these two… read more

Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout – Mount Rainier National Park WA

Mount Rainier was the nation’s fifth National Park, established 1899. During the Great Depression the New Deal’s Civilian Conservation Corps greatly aided the park’s development. The CCC constructed numerous fire lookout towers, including that atop Tolmie Peak in 1933. Elevation: 5,939… read more

Town Hall – Friday Harbor WA

“Friday Harbor’s Town Hall was built in 1936 using Works Progress Administration (WPA) funding. The project was developed to house a new town government building and the public library. The Town’s attorney, Elmond Genest and Mrs. Leon (Minnie) Little had… read more

Town Hall (former) Improvements – Monroe WA

“City officials of the town of Monroe, were today advised that the Town Hall and the Library were due for remodeling to the extent of $2,400, it was learned from the office of Don G. Abel, State Administrator of the… read more

Toy Workshop – Centralia WA

A WPA press release reported a WPA toy workshop project in Centralia, Washington in Dec. 1937: “Old Kris Kringle is getting some valuable help in Centralia. where a staff of 15 women are busy making new toys and repairing old… read more

Tri-City Country Club Golf Course – Kennewick WA

From 1938 to 1939, the WPA constructed the first nine holes of the Tri-City Country Club golf course. From the course website: “The original Twin City Golf Club was formed in 1938. Back then the city of Kennewick purchased the… read more

University of Washington Campus – Seattle WA

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 stated: “The finishing touches to the creation of what is said will be the most beautiful college campus in tho west will begin this week with the opening operations of a new Works… read more

University Station Post Office – Seattle WA

Seattle’s historic University Station post office was constructed ca. 1937 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which houses New Deal murals, is still in use today.

University Station Post Office Murals – Seattle WA

Multiple Section of Fine Arts murals hang in Seattle’s University Station post office. The murals by Jacob Elshin were painted in 1939 and are entitled Historical Review of Education and Present Day Education and Present Day Education. The murals are… read more

Van Asselt School Playground – Seattle WA

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) worked to develop and improve the playground at Seattle’s Van Asselt School. A photo at the U of Washington shows a field of stumps and clearing efforts with the caption “State of Wash., E.R.A…. read more

Vancouver Barracks Improvements – Vancouver WA

“Uncle Sam’s fighting men, stationed at the Army barracks at Vancouver, Wash., will have special cause for celebration next Fourth of July [1938], for the day before is expected to see completion of WPA repairing and general improvement work scheduled… read more

Wagner Performing Arts Center – Monroe WA

The Wagner Performing Arts Center in Monroe, Washington was originally the auditorium of Monroe Junior High School, built in the late 1930s with the help of PWA grant funds. Construction of the auditorium and school began in September, 1938 and… read more

Wapato Park – Tacoma WA

“Wapato Park was the site of a major WPA [Works Progress Administration] work project. Sherman Ingalls, Metropolitan Park District Supervisor at Wapato directed the project and designed the park improvements. The WPA built bridges, boat and bathhouse, modern kitchen with… read more

Washington Park Arboretum – Seattle WA

The Washington Park Arboretum is a public park, run as a joint project between the University of Washington and the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. “In 1933, the Public Works Administration did some rough clearing in Washington Park, but… read more

Washington Park Improvements – Yakima WA

“Final approval of two improvement projects for the City of Yakima was announced today by Don G. Abel, Works Progress Administrator. … [One] project, slated to be under way December 13, will consist of revamping the landscaping in Washington Park,… read more

Washington Secretary of State Office Assistance – Olympia WA

A WPA press release from Dec. 1937 announced that $5,800 was “allotted to the Secretary of State’s Office, Olympia. The Olympia project is for the purpose of folding, binding and covering pamphlets and books. The help provided the Secretary of’… read more

Water Mains – Blaine WA

A water main construction project was undertaken in Blaine, Washington with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred in 1934. PWA Docket No. WA 2372

Water Mains – Kettle Falls WA

A water main construction project was undertaken in Kettle Falls, Washington with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred during 1935. PWA Docket No. WA 5699

Water Mains – Naches WA

A water main construction project was undertaken in Naches, Washington with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred during 1935. PWA Docket No. WA 2959

Water Mains – Port Orchard WA

A water main construction project was undertaken in Port Orchard, Washington with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred during 1936. PWA Docket No. WA [W]1174

Water Supply – Gold Bar WA

“An adequate domestic water supply for Gold Bar, Snohomish County, is assured under a recent Works Progress Administration allotment of $8,627, for setting up a project to construct a conversion dam and lay a feeder pipe to the town. The… read more

Water System – Brewster WA

A waterworks construction project was undertaken in Brewster, Washington with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. Construction occurred between 1935 and 1937. PWA Docket No. WA 8085

Water System – Chehalis WA

A large water main construction project was undertaken in Chehalis, Washington with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA provided a $109,400 loan and $33,972 outright grant toward the project, whose final cost was $144,571. Construction… read more

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