“Built in 1938-39, the Ada County Courthouse was constructed as part of the Depression-era Public Works Administration (PWA). Building the courthouse provided jobs not only for construction workers and craftsmen, but also for the artists that embellished it. The Art… read more
The CCC created Bogus Basin Road, possibly with the assistance of the WPA, which eventually spurred the development of the recreation area. From the Bogus Basin ski resort website: It all started in 1938 when a 24-month WPA road project… read more
The Boise Gallery of Art was originally constructed in 1936 of Boise sandstone in the Art Deco style with the assistance of the WPA. Over the years several additions have been added, but the original building still remains.
The structure was originally built as the headquarters of the Boise District of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The Boise District supervised CCC camps in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. Currently, the building serves as a restaurant.
The WPA built a new gymnasium for the high school in 1936. According to the school’s website: “Students had saved their nickels and dimes and put them in a fund which covered some costs of the structure. The new gym… read more
“The present construction features of this project are the raising of Arrowrock Dam [built in 1915] and spillway for additional storage, and the building of the canal system for the Payette Division. Work has been in progress on Arrowrock Dam… read more
Originally Boise Junior College. “Established in 1932, the Boise Junior College was without a permanent home until the initial construction of the present campus in 1940-42. The land had previously been occupied by the Boise airfield, which had moved to… read more
The Ada County Office Building was built in 1937 with funding from the Works Progress Administration. The architectural style is predominantly Art Deco.
“Though designed and partially constructed in 1931, the minimalistic Art Deco structure was substantially enlarged under the Works Progress Administration. This construction included the central, vaulted cavalry drill hall and the administrative offices housed in the two-story front section. It… read more
Also known as the Log Cabin Literary Center, this rustic log building was constructed in 1939 utilizing the labor of the Civilian Conservation Corp. Each interior room is finished with indigenous Idaho lumber donated by the State’s timber companies. It… read more
Originally called simply Boise Junior High School, “This school was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project designed by Frank Hummell. When it opened in 1936, it was the city’s first and only Junior High School.” (www.preservationidaho.org)
WPA crews did improvement work on this canal in Boise during 1936. (The canal was originally constructed in the late nineteenth century.) The path alongside is widely used today by cyclists and joggers.
The Works Progress Administration carried out flood control/riprapping work on the bed of the San Creek in Ada County.
Sergeant City is a military-themed housing complex that provided living quarters for non-commissioned officers of the near-by Gowen Field airbase. The complex was built in 1940 with funding from the Federal Works Agency.
The Works Progress Administration carried out road improvement work around the Veterans Hospital in Boise, between 1936-1937.
Whitney Elementary was a PWA project (docket #1084R). It was demolished in 2009 and the current Whitney elementary was built in a different location on the same parcel. The original structure was designed by Wayland and Fennell Architects, and subsequent additions… read more