W.P.A. project description: “Blue Hill River Road and Ponkapoag Trail, Milton; early in 1939 work will be begun on additional improvements at the recreational area adjacent to Hoosicwhisick [Houghton’s] Pond. The project provides for the construction of 3,250 linear feet… read more
Description of a W.P.A. project: “Blue Hills Parkway; in the early spring of 1939, work will be started on the construction of a bituminous concrete walk from Kahler Avenue to Canton Avenue. The major items of work are the construction… read more
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Civil Works Administration (CWA), and Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted extensive development work at Massachusetts’s Blue Hills Reservation. Massachusetts Metropolitan District Commission annual reports detail the work of the CCC over time. 1933 report: “In the latter… read more
Description of a New Deal project in a 1937 annual report: “During construction of a roadway along the southerly side of the Neponset River in Milton, 8 feet of earth fill was placed over the High-level Sewer near the corner… read more
From 1933-1937 a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp operated within the Blue Hills Reservation, south of Boston. Over that time the CCC made numerous improvements to the Reservation, including two lookout towers, ski trails, a toboggan run, and any number… read more
Description of W.P.A. projects: “Chickatawbut Road, Braintree; work will be started in the early spring of 1939 on the general improvement and beautification of the Chickatawbut Road entrance to Blue Hills Reservation. Work will include tree removal, clearing, excavation, rip-rapping… read more
“Great Blue Hill has a[n] observation tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of the New Deal in the 1930’s (The Eliot Tower). The views of the city and Greater Boston Area on a clear day are amazing… read more
Description of a 1937 W.P.A. project: “Blue Hills Reservation; two baseball diamonds and four tennis courts were built in the sports area south of Hoosicwhisick Pond in Milton.” Hoosicwhisick Pond is also known as Houghton’s Pond.
W.P.A. project description: “Blue Hills Headquarters; a 120-foot by 40-foot by 14-foot fieldstone and brick garage with a reinforced concrete slab roof and steel girders and lally columns, was completed at the division’s headquarters on Hillside Avenue, Milton.” “Operations Yard…. read more
“Pakomet Spring. This area was developed by the CCC in 1936 and 1937 as a roadside pull-off, reflecting the increased presence of automobiles in the reservation during the 1930s. It formerly included guard rails, landscaping, tables, and seats. All that… read more
The distinctive branch post office in Milton, Massachusetts was constructed by the Treasury Department in 1936.
The post office contains a 1939 Section of Fine Arts mural by Elizabeth Tracy entitled “The Suffolk Resolves–Oppression and Revolt in the Colonies.”
W.P.A. project description: “Blue Hills Reservation at Unquity Road and Canton Avenue, Milton; to develop an area of eighteen acres for playground and skating use.” The location and status of these facilities is unknown to Living New Deal.
1939 MDC annual report: “Contract No. 128, P.W.A. Docket No. Mass. 1516-F — Mass. State Project No. D-203, was made with M. DeMatteo Construction Company of Roslindale on October 18, 1938 for the sum of $187,617.50, and was accepted by… read more