The original Children’s Hospital opened in 1908, later merging with the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary (opened in 1890) and the Maine General Hospital (opened in 1874) to become Maine Medical Center. “WPA artists painted murals for two Portland hospitals… read more
“In 1934 Federal CWA and ERA funds were used for bituminous treatment at Cutter Street.”
A street and park system that runs from North to South along the beachfront property of the eastern end of Portland Maine. “During the harsh winter of 1933-1934, under MERA (Maine Emergency Relief Agency) the Federal Civil Works Administration (CWA)… read more
Portland’s “Evergreen Cemetery” was improved by the WPA: “In 1936, the Public Works and Park Departments received $86,875 in WPA funds for engineering, supervision, a portion of the wages of skilled labor, equipment hire, and some materials. The Park Department… read more
The annual report of the Forestry Division of the Park Commission for the year ending December 31, 1934 reads: “This branch of the Park Department was helped greatly by the Federal Relief Projects; the C. W. A. during the first… read more
The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the former Fort Levett on Cushing Island in Portland, Maine. Project information: “Make general improvements to grounds” Official Project Number: 765‐11‐2‐3 Total project cost: $50,545.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Williams, U.S…. read more
The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the former Fort McKinley on Great Diamond Island in Portland, Maine. Project information: “Rehabilitation of buildings including plumbing, heating, and electrical” Official Project Number: 13‐2‐11‐108 Total project cost: $40,000.00 Sponsor: War Department ‐Q.M.C. “Fts…. read more
The Portland Department of Public Works rebuilt the sewer on Leland Street in Portland as part of a C.W.A Project No. 10-GG.
The U.S. military had a sizable footprint on Maine’s Long Island, and the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the site. Project information: “Clean areas at Peaks Island and Long Island Military Reservation” Official Project Number: 165‐2‐11‐122 Total… read more
“The Public Works Administration funded the construction of buildings for Federal, State, and local government. Portland was granted 45 percent of the cost of a new boiler house, heating plant, laundry, and additional housing for the nurses at the city… read more
From Joseph Conforti’s Creating Portland: “The Public Works Administration constructed a number of staff residences and dormitories on the campus of the existing Maritime Commission hospital, which was completed in 1859.” From Joseph Conforti’s Creating Portland: “The Public Works Administration… read more
In 1933, the Portland Water District moved its meter shop from its Casco Street office in Portland office to its main facility on Douglass Street. The Portland Water District was able to complete the new meter shop with C. W…. read more
Four major sewer projects were started in Downtown Portland by the WPA. New sewer lines were built along Baxter Blvd and Washington Ave. Danforth St. and Fore St. sewer lines were rebuilt.
Two murals, “Fishing” and “Farming” painted in 1940 for the Nathan Clifford Elementary School and moved in 2012 to the new Ocean Avenue Elementary School that replaced it.
The U.S. military had a sizable footprint on Peaks Island, and the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the site. Project information: “Clean areas at Peaks Island and Long Island Military Reservation” Official Project Number: 165‐2‐11‐122 Total project… read more
Multiple New Deal agencies were involved with the development of what is now called the Portland International Jetport. Under FERA and MERA (Maine Emergency Relief Administration), a 2000 x 100 gravel runway and a 1500 x 100 gravel runway were… read more
“Like many community airports, Portland International Jetport had its beginnings as the private field of a flying fan. Today, the Jetport is one of the nation’s fastest-growing airports, serving most of the major domestic airlines and over 1.6 million passengers… read more
“Captain Lemuel Moody (1768-1846) ordered construction of this octagonal, 86-foot high tower to serve as a communication station for Portland’s bustling harbor. In 1807, ships entering the harbor could not be seen from the docks of Portland until they rounded… read more
The post office itself was started by the Treasury Department in 1932, but may have been completed with New Deal money. The post office contains two 1937 Section of Fine Arts murals by Henry Mattson entitled “The Rocky Coast of… read more
Portland’s Riverside Golf Course was one of several local sites to be improved by the WPA in 1936 when “the Public Works and Park Departments received $86,875 in WPA funds for engineering, supervision, a portion of the wages of skilled… read more
In response to the foot dragging of Portland city officials on creating affordable housing for the influx of military related industry in a city with a severe lack of modern housing, the Federal Housing Authority of the Federal Works Agency… read more
The Civil Works Administration (CWA) built sewers on Johansen, Oakley, and Sherwood Streets in Portland, ME, in 1934. A photo courtesy of the Maine Memory Network depicts the sewer construction by CWA crews in 1934.
“In 1934 Federal CWA and ERA funds were used for construction of 2 tennis courts, constructed with a 3 layer bituminous construction, new to northern New England, with a tile underdrain and surrounded by heavy wire fence. This made a… read more
The Independent Reporter published a story on June 11, 1936 regarding a WPA project to build a tourist information building in Portland Maine. “Tourist Information Building To Be Built in Portland By The State The State, in connection with W.P.A…. read more
In 1936, WPA workers removed old trolley tracks from the defunct Portland Company along Woodford Street in Portland Maine.
This US Custom House in Portland, Maine was completed in 1872. In 1934, plumbing improvements were made by federal architect Louis A. Simon and federal engineer, George O. Von Nerta.
The former post office building in Westbrook, Maine was constructed during the Great Depression and received an example of New Deal artwork: “Woodsmen in the Woods of Maine”. The oil-on-canvas mural was commissioned by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts, and… read more
The Western Promenade is an historic promenade, 18.5 acres (7.5 ha) public park and recreation area in Portland, Maine’s West End neighborhood. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes a number of historic properties, including… read more