West Virginia Sites

The Works Progress Administration completed repairs and renovations for the City Fire Station, Parkersburg. The exact location of these facilities is unknown to the Living New Deal.

South Charleston's historic City Hall was constructed between Nov. 1938 and Jul. 1939 with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a grant of $18,818 for the project, whose total cost was $46,923. The building, which is still in service, is located at the western corner of the intersection of 4th Ave. and D St. The architect of record was Francis George Davidson. PWA Docket No. WV X1192.  

"Arthurdale was the first of many New Deal planned communities established under Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. It was intended to take impoverished laborers, farmers, and coal miners and move them to a modern rural community that would allow them to become economically self-sufficient... Mrs. Roosevelt was so passionate about the concept that she brought it to the attention of her husband, who decided to place the project under the direction of the United States Department of the Interior. Construction began at the end of 1933 and from the outset it was clear that the Arthurdale community had become one of Eleanor Roosevelt’s...

One of several fire stations built in the City of Charleston under the New Deal.

The Civilian Conservation Corps completed groundwork and remade the battlefield area into an outdoors recreation area. The museum is located in a former cabin and not built as a museum. In the 1970s it was broken into and many of the original items stolen—including some artifacts that were present at the battle. Photographed is the exterior of the house and a modern interior shot featuring now retired Park Superintendent Mike Smith. "At Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, the Civil War museum is housed in a former rental cabin built ca. 1935 by the CCC."

The Works Progress Administration completed the construction of Clemens Street on Shinnston. The work consisted of “Excavation, stone-base, shoulders and concrete curb necessary for full completion of Clemens street."

The structure initially housed community activities for the resettlement community in Eleanor. This is a long U-shaped side gable building designed in a roadside colonial design. It features double chimneys and had a center light tower that no longer exists.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built a community center for African American residents of Wilson Hollow, Charleston, Kanawha County. The exact location and condition of this structure are unknown to the Living New Deal. The May  7, 1938 the Charleston Gazette notes that construction started in 1936 and “WPA Grant for Negro Social Center Received.” The Charleston Daily Mail, 6 May 1938 also reported that “Negro Center Fund Granted.” Article cites work began “two years ago” and could resume. Noted allocation of $2,246 for the project with funds “practically all for labor.” “The building including an auditorium and classrooms is used instead as a social, recreational and training...

The Public Works Administration funded the construction of women’s dormitories for the Concord University (Concord State Teachers College) in Athens. Project W. Va.-1058-R. Today the building is still in service as a residence hall an operates as Sarvay Hall.

The West Virginia Department of Commerce writes: “The forest and its amenities are directly attributable to the development CCC Camp Rhododendron, formerly Camp Preston. A priority for the forest was fire fighting and wildlife food plots to increase hunting and thus, increase state revenues from hunters. The construction work at Cooper’s Rock began in May 1936 with some road and trail development. By the spring of 1937 the men were at work on the permanent structures in the Main Overlook area. The camp was occupied for a total of five years and their projects included road and trail development, picnic shelters,...

The Works Progress Administration built a farm-to-market road connecting Cotton with Amma, in Roane County. Also known at the time as the Left Hand Run Road.

The Works Progress Administration completed improvements for county schools in Parkersburg, Wood County. The exact location of these facilities is unknown to the Living New Deal.

This New Deal facility was erected in 1937 as the Holliday's Cove post office. In 1947, Holliday's Cove, Marland Heights and Weirton Heights incorporated into one city and took the name Weirton. This became the Cove Station.

New Deal mural entitled "Captain Bilderbook's and John Schoolcraft's Expedition from Holiday's Cove to Fort Henry, 1777" painted by Charles Chapman in 1940. At the time this mural was painted, this office was the main office for Holiday's Cove, WV. In 1947, it along with 2 other communities incorporated and took the name "Weirton."

Crispin Center was constructed with the assistance of the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). "Crispin Center - with its large swimming pool, golf shop and Pine Room area - has changed little on the outside. Built in 1937-38 of natural sandstone, much of it quarried locally, the facility stands as a tribute to the quality of work in Depression-era projects."

In ca. 1939 at Kanawha, CCC workers built Davis Creek Dam to form the 1.5-acre Ellison Pond. Pinned to the solid rock streambed and built of concrete and cut sandstone, the impoundment dam is 100 feet in length and approximately 10 feet high. The dam was recently removed to re-establish the original stream.

Across West Virginia, the Department of Highways sponsored district headquarters and garages constructed by the Works Progress Administration. All utilized a similar airfoil design, a variation on the Quonset hut design. Built of stone.

A wastewater disposal plant construction project in Peterstown, West Virginia was undertaken with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $10,000 loan and $4,003 grant toward the $13,979 eventual total cost of the project. Work occurred between Dec. 1934 and Jun. 1935. The location and status of the facility are unknown to Living New Deal. PWA Docket No. 1925

The Dolly Sods Wilderness is 17,371 acres of natural area, located in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker counties, West Virginia. Visitors to the area can enjoy hiking, hunting, camping, and picnic areas. Dolly Sods Wilderness has regulations intended to preserve its natural appearance as much as possible. For example, no camping is allowed within 300 feet of the roads. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, logging activities damaged the Dolly Sods area in the late 1800s / early 1900s and “The U.S. Forest Service purchased the land, and during the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps planted red pine and other...

J.D. Sutton, a private in the 10th West Virginia Infantry, was a veteran of the Battle of Droop Mountain. As a visionary he began the movement to preserve Droop Mountain. He and other veterans began to worry in the aftermath of World War I that their role will be forgotten. In the 1920s the veterans of the battle began to meet at the battlefield making locations of the engagement. In 1928, Governor Howard M. Gore accepted the first 141 acres for the state from the veterans. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked to develop West Virginia's Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. "A...

One of the original program markers from 1937, installed by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. The West Virginia historical marker program began in 1934 with the beginning research for the markers with the intention of placing markers around the state to encourage tourism. Dr. Roy Bird Cook, a Charleston druggist, a longtime commission member, and avocational historian worked on the project. 5,000 sites were collected with 440 markers selected by the commission for placement. Most of these along 44 state and federal highways. The money came from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In addition to the markers,...

The Works Progress Administration built a sewer system running from East Avenue, Charleston to Montrose Drive, South Charleston. “Construction of brick sewer to connect storm and sanitary sewer with sewer from East avenue to Kanawha river, also to connect under Montrose drive. South Charleston.” East Avenue is now called MacCorkle Avenue. The general location of the project is in the vicinity of the river.

The Works Progress Administration completed improvements and repairs for the Edison School in South Charleston. The work consisted of “Painting and repairing Edison school, installing new fire escape.”

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built an elementary school near Marshall College (today Marshall University) in Huntington, Cabell County. The exact location and condition of this facility are unknown to the Living New Deal.

The West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind is located in Romney, West Virginia.  It has been providing an education for children since 1870. The vision/mission of the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind is stated as follows: “The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind will be the center of excellence in the education of deaf, hard of hearing, blind and low vision students so they will achieve success as productive independent members of society…To that end…we provide students a specialized education environment where their unique skills are recognized and valued, they are given opportunities...

The Public Works Administration funded the construction of the Elk River Bridge, which carries Lee Street across the Elk River, in Charleston, Kanawha County. The structure is 500-feet long and is one of four bridges located at the point where Elk River meets Kanawha River. It was built between 1938 and 1939. Plaques installed on the pillars on each side of the northern end of the span read: “Lee Street - Fayette Street Connection and Elk River Bridge, Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, Project No. W. VA. 1218 F”

The Works Progress Administration built sidewalks on Emerson Avenue in Parkersburg, Wood County.

The Works Progress Administration graded Fairview Addition Street in Smithsburg, Doddridge County.

This federal building, formerly known as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was originally occupied in 1907. According to the General Services Administration, a three-story, 100-foot extension was constructed to the west side of the building during the New Deal. “At the date of the second addition, in 1935, the original two-story courtroom was demolished, its materials salvaged, and a new, larger courtroom was added to the west end of the second floor. The new courtroom is distinguished by oak paneled wainscoting, marble baseboards, acoustic stone walls, and a decorative plastered...

The historic 1907 Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Wheeling, West Virginia was expanded during the New Deal era with Treasury Department funds. Wikipedia: "The 1938 addition, built to accommodate a district courtroom, altered the symmetry of the building. The addition uses materials and architectural details that are compatible with the original building." The building, which has been expanded further, is still in service.

Parkersburg's historic Fifth Street Bridge was constructed between Sept. 1935 and Apr. 1937. The bridge, which crosses the Little Kanawha River, was built with federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds in addition to tolls from the nearby East Street Bridge. The PWA supplied a grant of $119,723 for the project, whose total cost was $536,303. PWA Docket No. WV 5410. Excerpt from the The Parkersburg News, April 14, 1937: "Fifth Street Bridge nearing completion The Fifth Street bridge across the Little Kanawha river should be completed by May, it was announced yesterday by H.R. Staley, government engineer inspector for the WPA on the project. Mr. Staley...

The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the Youngs Creek Bridge No. 1541 in Nallen WV. Excerpt from Legal Advertisement, Notice to Contractors, The Charleston (WV) Gazette, March 18, 1939, p. 11.: “Public Works Administration Projects Docket 1197-F — PWA 3372-E & PWA 3388-B. Nicholas & Fayette Counties. Nallen Bridge No. 1238-F — PWA 3238-A & D, Upshur County. 0.308 miles of the Fink Run Bridge and Approaches. Grading, Drainage, Cement Concrete Pavement and Reinforced Concrete Arch. Certified Check $1,500.00. John E. Fischer, Branch Manager, W. Va, State Employment Service, Weston, W. Va.” Possibly at Fink Run Road near Corridor G....

The Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (Public Works Administration) provided funding for the construction of Fire Station No. 5 in Charleston, West Virginia. This is one of several fire stations built in the City of Charleston under the New Deal. Station No. 5 is located on the northeast corner of Bridge Road and Walnut Road in the Bridge Road Neighborhood near the Bridge Road Shops in South Hills, Charleston, West Virginia.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) carried out flood recovery work after the floods in Parkersburg in the spring of 1937. The WPA provided 700 workers (200 of which were National Youth Administration workers) and $ 31,000. The WPA crews assisted with evacuation efforts and the protection and recovery of property.

Currently known as the United States Department of Agriculture Building, the historic U.S. Forest Service Building in Elkins, West Virginia was constructed with Treasury Deparrment funds. Architectural details: Three-story flat roof facility built to a U-shaped plan. Red brick in common bond with concrete façade and pilasters with caps and block defining the bays and supporting the cornice. Course belt of concrete separating the first and second floors. Concrete lintel and sills with 8/8 windows. Bathrooms have been altered/modernized but still contain original fabric in most of the building (including the bathrooms). The building houses examples of New Deal artwork.

The historic U.S. Forest Service Building (now United States Department of Agriculture Building) in Elkins, West Virginia houses examples of New Deal artwork: "Forest Service" and "Mining Village," two tempera murals by Stevan Dohanos. Completed in 1939, the works were commissioned by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts.

From a state historical marker at the site: “Fort Ashby, one in the chain of Indian forts built by George Washington, 1755.  Sharp fighting here, 1756.  In 1794, troops under Gen. Danial Morgan camped here on their way to suppress Whiskey Rebellion.  Fort restored by W.P.A., 1939.”

The Works Progress Administration completed improvements on Fourteenth Street in Wheeling, Ohio County. The work included “reconditioning base and repaving.”

An addition to Morgantown, West Virginia's Fourth Ward School was constructed in 1939 with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds.

The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the Youngs Creek Bridge No. 1541 in Nallen WV. Excerpt from Legal Advertisement, Notice to Contractors, The Charleston (WV) Gazette, March 18, 1939, p. 11.: "Public Works Administration Project Docket 1197-F-- PWA 3163-B. Tyler Count. Frew Bridge No. 1538 & Approaches. One 20 Ft. Span Reinforced Concrete Arch and Grading, Draining, Macadam Base and Surface Treatment. Certified Check $2,400.00, W. Wa. State Employment Service, Parkersburg, W.Va."