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WPA Projects Helped in Building Oceanside While Enhancing the Community

8/22/2016

 
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by Kristi Hawthorne, Oceanside Living Magazine

During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established a works program in 1935 to help millions of unemployed Americans by creating building projects to provide jobs. The Works Progress Administration (or Works Projects Administration) was commonly known as the WPA. Throughout the U.S. these jobs put over 8 million people to work by building 650,000 miles of roads, thousands of parks and bridges, hundreds of airports, and over 100,000 public buildings. In addition, The Federal Arts Project employed artists to create public art.

In Oceanside the WPA was responsible for building Oceanside’s first permanent Post Office building in 1935. This historic building also contains two projects commissioned by the Treasury
Section of Fine Arts, which like the Federal Arts Project, provided murals and other art forms to decorate public buildings. A beautiful 16' x 6' mural of the San Luis Rey Valley and its Mission,
entitled “Air Mail” by Elise Seeds hangs in the lobby. A carved wooden eagle and grille over the front entrance was done by Stuart Holmes.
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In 1936, a WPA project was approved to build a beach stadium. The government allocated $5200 to pay the cost of labor and also a portion of the construction materials.
The stadium seating was completed in 1937 and is still used today.

Also completed that year, was the building of a “ramp” from Pacific Street to the Strand. This was actually an extension of First Street (now Seagaze) providing vehicle access. The First Street extension brought vehicles directly to the Strand providing easy access to the beach near the pier plaza and stadium. Prior to this, the closest access was north on Sixth Street (now Surfrider) or south at Wisconsin Avenue.

Other projects in Oceanside included Recreation Park, a large park along the east side of Mission Avenue between Brooks and Barnes Streets. Along with several playing fields for baseball, it included bleachers, dressing rooms and a playground, enclosed by an expansive adobe wall. The $22,862 project employed 51 men for six months in 1939 and 1940.

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Pat Simons
8/23/2016 09:47:58 pm

Loved to walk on top the old adobe wall on the way to Brooks St. Pool.

Robert gutierrez
8/24/2016 03:42:51 am

The WPA also built the first water reservoir and pump house which still stands today at 110 Jones Rd.

Michelle link
12/2/2021 11:56:55 am

Great Article! Thank you for sharing this is very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

Michael link
12/29/2021 08:15:53 am

Excellent article! Your post is essential today. Thanks for sharing, by the way


Comments are closed.

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Copyright © 2023 Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
928 N. Coast Highway | Oceanside, CA 92054
Tel 760-722-1534 
[email protected]
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Picture
  • Oceanside
    • About Oceanside >
      • History of Oceanside
      • Demographics
      • Arts and Culture
      • Education
      • Employment
      • Health Care
      • Religious Organizations
      • Local Government and Services
      • Retiring in Oceanside
      • Oceanside Maps
    • Visitor Information >
      • Beaches
      • Accommodations
      • Groups and Meeting
    • Things to Do >
      • Oceanside Events >
        • Downtown History Walks
        • Farmers Market
        • Sunset Market
      • Shopping >
        • Coupons
      • Dining
      • Surfing
      • Regional Attractions
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Business Directory
    • All Categories
    • Coupons
    • New Members
  • Media
    • Publications >
      • Advertising Your Business
      • Best of Oceanside Magazine
      • Military Publications
    • Member News
    • Blog
    • Advancing Oceanside Podcast
  • Chamber
    • Membership >
      • Member Portal
      • Application
      • Testimonials >
        • Digital Plaque - Oceanside Chamber Member
    • Advocacy >
      • Chamber Political Action Committee
      • Public Policy Guidelines
    • Our Work >
      • 2023 Annual Report
      • 2023 Strategic Priorities
      • Committees - Task Forces - Forums
    • Oceanside Young Professionals
    • Oceanside Leadership Academy
    • Workforce Development >
      • SOCAL Workforce
      • Pooled Employer Plan
      • Kindness
      • Frontline Friendly
    • Our Team >
      • Chamber Staff
    • Chamber Trip: Sights of Scotland
    • Privacy Policy
  • Events
    • Signature Chamber Events >
      • Meet the City of Oceanside
      • Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
      • Coastal Business Expo
      • North County Health Fair
      • Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton
      • Oceanside Senior Showcase
      • Rising Star Student Program
    • Monthly Chamber Events
    • Annual OCC Mixer Passs
    • Oceanside Community Events
  • Resources
    • Community Resources
    • Local Business Resources
    • Military Resources
    • Sustainability Resources