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  • Appleton (West) High School - Appleton WI
    Appleton (West) High School has served as a high school in Appleton, WI since September, 1938. It was built by the Works Progress Administration.
  • Applied Arts Building Mural, University of Wisconsin-Stout - Menomonie WI
    With WPA support, Cal Peters painted several murals for the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus, circa 1935-1936. This 7' x 20' oil on canvas is entitled "Perrault's Trading Fort." It depicts a trading post on Red Cedar River at the future site of Menomonie, Wisconsin. The mural is located in Room 315, Applied Arts, Choir Room, University of Wisconsin-Stout.
  • Athletic Field Arch - South Milwaukee WI
    "WPA-built brick arch entryway to athletic fields, concrete details."
  • Badger Park - Shullsburg WI
    "The landscape was planned and supervised by Phillip Wyman, a landscape architect from Milwaukee in the 1930's. This park holds an important geographical position in the visual landscape of the city. Badger Park is an 81/2 acre park, developed in 1934-1935 as a WPA project... The park includes a swimming pool, bath house, shelter houses, double tennis courts, concession stand, a picnic ground with fireplaces, tables and benches, a natural amphitheater commanding a view of two baseball diamonds and a football field... After the details were worked out, final approval was given by the federal government to start the park...
  • Beaver Dam Lake Diversion - Cumberland WI
    Surrounding the city of Cumberland, Beaver Dam Lake (or Che-wa-cum-ma-towangok, "Lake Made by the Beavers") is both the deepest lake in Barron County and had served as a hub for the sawmills in the area since 1880. Testimony by engineer K.C. MacLeish to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission revealed that by August 10, 1936, the elevation of Beaver Dam Lake had dropped from normal levels of approximately 96.0 feet to 85.8 feet. At MacLeish's recommendation, the Wisconsin PSC approved a Works Progress Administration to widen an old diversion ditch from nearby Duck Lake to help raise the level of Beaver Dam...
  • Bell School (former) - East Troy WI
    The school was originally built in 1853. "In 1934, the WPA raised the building and added a basement, as well as an entryway." The building is still standing, but is apparently no longer used as a school.
  • Benton School Gymnasium (former) - Benton WI
    The historic former Benton School Gymnasium was constructed, in part, as a WPA project. The building now houses a religious organization. WisconsinHistory.org: "A brick gymnasium structure that has a round arched roof. Round recessed arched areas that unite the two level, single windows decorate the arched front facade. White stone bands contrast with the brick to form a decorated pattern on the symmetrically designed frnot facade. The projecting central bay emphasizes the four doored entrance. The auditorium addition was constructed as a WPA project. This building is important as a visual landmark to the community and some architectural importance as a WPA...
  • Breese Stevens Field - Madison WI
    Breese Stevens Field was constructed as a Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) project.
  • Brown Deer Park - Milwaukee WI
    "In Brown Deer Park the lagoon was enlarged during the WPA program, and a pavillion of English design utilizing stone and timber was constructed in the side of a hill overlooking the lagoon. A stone-faced arch bridge was built." The WPA project also included a skating rink.
  • Bukolt Park - Stevens Point WI
    Bukolt Park was originally known as Water Works Park: "As with Iverson and Goerke Parks, Water Works Park got its big push during the recovery period of the 1930s when WPA construction was at its peak. Major improvements included landscaping, parkways, fireplaces, beautification of the lagoon including bridges and in 1935 and 1936 construction of the bathhouse, beach area, ramps and a diving tower. A large lodge built in the park was completed in 1940. On May 5, 1936, the council renamed the park the John J. Bukolt Park in honor of the founder of the Automatic Cradle Manufacturing Company, now Lullabye Furniture...
  • Burbank Playground - Milwaukee WI
    "Constructing a brick and concrete field house containing toilet, assembly, checking and dressing rooms; erecting playground, apparatus, fencing around the outdoor theater at the Burbank Playground."
  • Carleton School Addition - Milwaukee WI
    An addition was built by the WPA.
  • Carson Park Improvements and Baseball Stadium - Eau Claire WI
    "In the early 1930s the success of the Eau Claire Bears, a "farm" team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, encouraged Eau Claire to apply to the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to fund recreational improvements in Carson Park. The centerpiece of these projects was the simple but elegant sandstone-walled stadium, built to seat over 1500 fans. The stone was quarried from a site in nearby Downsville, Wisconsin. Unemployed skilled laborers were given work on the stadium through 1936 and readied the ballpark for action by early 1937."
  • Carver Park Bathhouse and Pool - Milwaukee WI
    "The bathhouse and original swimming pool were built in 1940 with the help of the WPA program. Under County jurisdiction the site was originally named Lapham Park. This name was used until the late 1950’s when it was changed to Carver Park."
  • Cass Street Bridge - La Crosse WI
    A New Deal federal aid project, what is now the westbound span of the Mississippi River Bridge in la Crosse, Wisconsin was constructed in 1939-1940. A plaque on the bridge reads: State Highway Commission of Wisconsin Bridge No 300 1939 Federal-Aid Project 397-G Built in cooperation with U.S. Bureau of Public Roads
  • CCC Camp and Forest Improvements - Moquah Barrens State Natural Area WI
    The CCC had multiple camps in this area of the Chequamegon National Forest and engaged in many kinds of forest work including "planting of Jack Pine and Norway Pine seedlings, fire hazard reduction, scalping or preparation for future planting,...imber stand improvement, lake surveys, roadside clean-up." (rootsweb.ancestry.com)
  • CCC Camp Site - Milwaukee WI
    A wooden sign marks the site of former CCC Camp Bluemound, Company 2606, which operated in the vicinity from 1933-1942.
  • CCC Camps - Chequamegon National Forest WI
    Several CCC camps performed extensive work in the Chequamegon National Forest: F-11 Camp Beaver at Clam Lake F-43 Camp Cable, Company V-1676 at Cable F-10 Camp Chippewa River at Loretta F-15 Camp Clam Lake, Company 653 Just east of Clam Lake on Hwy 77 F-14 Camp Ghost Creek, Company 652 about 7 miles south west of Clam Lake on Hwy 77 on the south side of the highway. F-24 Camp Loretta, Company 652 3 miles north of Loretta on Conuty Road GG, then Left on Forestry Road 621 for .4 Miles to a trailhead. f-12 Camp Mineral Lake, Company 638 at Marengo F-13 Camp Moose River, Company 3606...
  • CCC Camps and Improvements - Nicolet National Forest WI
    "The Civilian Conservation Corps played an important role in helping establish the Nicolet National Forest as a viable and productive area... CCC enrollees working on the Nicolet Forest performed many duties, including forest fire control, tree planting, road construction, recreation area construction and maintenance, installation of telephone lines, fish and wildlife habitat improvement, timber stand improvement and surveying. Much of the work done by the CCC is still evident today. Many roads, recreation areas, ranger stations, the Trees for Tomorrow training center and countless timber plantations exist because of the corpsmen's hard work. At the peak of the CCC program, the Nicolet...
  • Cherry Street Bridge - Milwaukee WI
    Milwaukee's Cherry Street Bridge was constructed as a Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project in 1940. "The Cherry Street Bridge is a bascule bridge that crosses the Milwaukee River just North of downtown. The 214-foot total length includes a 103-foot draw span. It was built in 1940 and is notable for its stainless-steel Moderne bridge houses."
  • Chute Pond Dam - Mountain WI
    "Virgin white pine of northeastern Wisconsin attracted early settlers to northern Oconto County. When the virgin forests were depleted, the rocky, sandy soil and the northern climate proved too hard to make a living. Marginal farms were abandoned and the area was destitute and under-employed during the late 1920s and early 1930s. The area looked very bleak and desolate. The answer appeared to be the growing resort industry. The WPA built Chute Pond Dam corrected and conserved the flowage of the Oconto River. This dam was constructed in 1937 on the site of an old log dam (parts of which...
  • City Hall - Omro WI
    Omro's current city hall/administration building was originally a theater constructed in 1937: "One of the few buildings in Omro’s downtown built during the Depression years was this fine late Art Deco-style movie theater, which was built using federal W.P.A. funds. Although simple in design, the massive buttresses that line its sides give it a monumentality that is unusual for such a small building. During World War II shell casings were manufactured in the basement by the Speed Queen Corp. while movies were being shown in the theater above. Later, a ladder factory occupied the basement. In 1966, the City remodeled the...
  • City Hall Window - Milwaukee WI
    "While the seal itself is in safekeeping with Milwaukee’s City Clerk, a permanent, more colorful version of it resides in the form of a stained glass window in the City Council chambers."         (www.milwaukeehistory.net) "The Arnold Gavin Stained Glass Shop provided the materials, and the windows are thought to be designed by Milwaukee artist Carl Reimann and completed under the supervision of WPA artist Adolf Karl."      (city.milwaukee.gov) The window was restored and hung in the 3rd floor Common Council Chamber in 1978.
  • Community Center - Pence WI
    The gorgeous community center in Pence, Wisconsin, located on the south side of Trezona St. between Maple St. and Cedar St., was constructed by the Work Projects Administration (WPA) in 1941. Lake Shore Visitor: "Last year, through a WPA project, a community center was erected. It contains a large gymnasium, a library, a meeting room, garage, and fire-fighting equipment space. A recreational program providing entertainment facilities for all age groups has been established."
  • Community Center and Library - Mercer WI
    "In 1936, with funding supplied by the Federal Government through an agency called the "Works Progress Administration" (WPA), and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Town of Mercer started work on the Mercer Community Center/Public Library. Constructed entirely of pine logs from the area, it consisted of a main hall and a small area to house the library."   (https://www.mercerwi.com) "The WPA workers who built this hall were all Finish woodsmen. The building is made of hand hewn pine logs, cut to fit together without mortar."  (https://newdeal.feri.org) The building fell into disrepair in the late 1950s, but the town remodeled it in the...
  • Copper Falls State Park Improvements - Mellen WI
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built "log buildings, bridges, trails and developed several other structures for the park."
  • Crescent Beach Stairs - Algoma WI
    The WPA constructed stairs at the south end of Crescent Beach. The stairs display "19 WPA 39" on the top step and bottom slab along with 48 star stone mosaic U.S. flags. The stairs are edged with field stone. Fossils are mounted on the entrance pillars. The stairs begin at the top of a grassy bluff and end in a cedar lined path that leads to the sandy shore of Lake Michigan.
  • Cudahy High School - Cudahy WI
    An addition to the Cudahy High School was built as a Milwaukee County PWA construction project.
  • Cumberland School Addition - Whitefish Bay WI
    "Milwaukee County PWA Construction Projects-addition to Cumberland School in Whitefish Bay."
  • Currie Park Quarry - Wauwatosa WI
    "When federal funds became available under the Civil Works Administration (CWA), with only three weeks of planning time Milwaukee city and county officials developed projects to employ 26,000 workers in the winter of 1933-34 doing landscaping, road grading, street repair and painting. One of the largest projects employed almost 2,000 men straightening out an S-curve in the Milwaukee River and constructing a lagoon and islands in Lincoln Park in order to reduce flooding on the north side of Milwaukee. County park projects included construction of a quarry at Currie Park."
  • Dane County Regional Airport - Madison WI
    "Originally constructed in 1937 with assistance from the WPA, the Madison Municipal Airport was renamed Truax Field during World War II to honor Tommy Truax, a local air cadet killed during a training accident." The airport is now also known as the Dane County Regional Airport.
  • Dells of the Eau Claire County Park - Aniwa WI
    Dells of the Eau Claire County Park has significant New Deal resources in the areas of recreation, conservation, landscape architecture, and architecture thanks to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Between 1935 and 1942, the CCC greatly enhanced the park as it designated and constructed the north park entrance; constructed two small trail-side shelters, a set of stone steps, a stone stairway, a foot bridge, a pumphouse, an overlook, and the Combination Building. These resources are still extant and contribute to the historic character and significance of the park. The CCC also designated parking areas with massive boulders;...
  • Department of Public Works Building - Shorewood WI
    "Distinguished by its decorative brickwork, turrets, and battlemented parapets, the Shorewood Department of Public Works Administration Building was constructed in 1936 with funding from the federal government’s Works Progress Administration."
  • Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo WI
    "Founded in 1911, Devil's Lake is the third oldest state park in Wisconsin, the largest, and the most visited. Devil's Lake offers magnificent views from 500-foot quartzite bluffs overlooking a 360-acre lake. Enjoy lakeshore picnic areas, sandy swimming beaches, 29 miles of hiking trails, or ease into the backcountry solitude. Devil's Lake is a beautiful year-round park with an intriguing natural history along the 1,000-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail... The quarries were last put to use in the 1930s when the Civilian Conservation Corp used quartzite stone to build the park headquarters, the Rock Elm shelter, and the ranger headquarters. During...
  • Doctors Park Bathhouse - Bayside / Fox Point WI
    The Doctors Park Bathhouse in Bayside, Wisconsin, a northern suburb of Milwaukee, is adjacent to Tietjen Beach on Lake Michigan and within 75 feet of the shoreline. This former bathhouse was constructed as a Work Projects Administration (WPA) project in 1939-1940, part of a far broader county-wide park improvement program undertaken by the New Deal agency. While the park straddles Bayside and Fox Point, the bathhouse is located north of the border, in Bayside. For many decades the bathhouse provided a place to change into a swimsuit and shower off sand before heading for home. the building housed lifeguards to...
  • Doctors Park Bathhouse - Milwaukee WI
    "The most visible legacy of WPA projects in Milwaukee County was the parks system, which had more construction and landscaping during the WPA period than any other time in its history. WPA construction included six swimming pools, pavilions at Red Arrow and Brown Deer Parks, service buildings at Jacobus, Jackson and Whitnall Parks, the Botanical Garden administration building and golf club house at Whitnall Park, a bathhouse at Doctor's Park, a recreation center at Smith Park, new roads in nearly every park, and parkways throughout the county."
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Station Post Office - Milwaukee WI
    The historic Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Station post office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was constructed in 1938 with federal Treasury Department funds. The building is still in service.
  • E. W. Luther Elementary School Gate - South Milwaukee WI
    The Works Progress Administration built an entrance gate for the E. W. Luther Elementary School track. A plaque installed on the structure reads: "WPA 1036." The gate marks the back entrance to the school's athletic field.  
  • Eau Claire School District Administrative Offices: Basement Renovations - Eau Claire WI
    Eau Claire Senior High School was constructed in 1925-1926 to replace an aging structure on Lake and 4th St. The new high school had extensive basement renovation in the summer of 1938 carried out by the National Youth Administration (NYA), part of the Works Progress Administration. The work done to the structure allowed for a 20X60-foot room to be made to show films and slides. A steel backstop was added as well to create an indoor firing range for the High School .22 Rifle Club. The building now serves as the Eau Claire School District administrative offices.
  • Enderis Playing Field - Milwaukee WI
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built park facilities at the Enderis Playing Field in Milwaukee. One among many parks built and improved by the WPA in Milwaukee, the Enderis Playing field is still in use today. The land, which the city purchased in 1931, was initially part of the Gale Crest Park subdivision, a sparsely populated area annexed by the city of Milwaukee in 1927. The park is named after Dorothy Enderis, who led the Recreation Division of the Milwaukee Public Schools. Together with Gilbert Clegg, she devised the 1937 Milwaukee park improvements plan. The list of projects to be completed...
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