WPA Program in San Diego

"Between these twin efforts--public works and industrial re-employment -- it is not too much to expect that a great many men and women can be taken from the ranks of the unemployed before winter comes. It is the most important attempt of this kind in history.

As in the great crisis of the World War, it puts a whole people to the simple but vital test: "Must we go on in many groping, disorganized, separate units to defeat or shall we move as one great team to victory?"

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Statement on the National Industrial Recovery Act - June 16, 1933

If last week's "Tip" was about inspiration in the New Year, then this week the theme is committing to rebuilding America.

We're inundated. On the news, in the papers, in our communities, families and homes - the news of economic stress is on the tip of every pen and every tongue.

There's a lot of talk about economic stimulus packages. Just like Franklin Delano Roosevelt seventy-seven years before him, Barack Obama, as we all know must put Americans back to work, get money flowing through the economy and get this country into an economic recovery mode.

Like Roosevelt, Obama plans to jolt this country back to a stronger heartbeat with public works projects that put folks back to work, back to spending money, back to the core values of America. If Americans work hard, economic prosperity follows.

The Works Progress Adminstration (WPA) sought to put the people back to work providing social and cultural benefit to their communities.

We were curious. We were curious to know what the Works Progress Administration did in San Diego to put over 16,000 men and women back to work and help the 4,000 families that were forced to accept relief support back in the early 1930's.

If curiosity doesn't kill the cat, it surely will create a scavenger hunt. We've got one for you.

San Diego benefited by the WPA with some beautiful construction and art projects scattered all around the region. Some of the structures built by the WPA, the likes of which will never be built again, remain a part of our community often taken for granted for why they were built and what they stand for today. They are still some of San Diego's most beloved structures.

We'll never see buildings like those built in the 1930's. It will be hard to get excited about paving more of paradise for hybrid highways, but things have changed. History is back again and with it is the opportunity to remember our history, appreciate the men and women who, with heart and grit, brought this country back to the future.

Take the scavenger hunt challenge and take a look at these structures, murals, and sculptures. You don't have to check off the whole list in one day. Take your time, appreciate the workmanship and pride that went into all of these projects.

America has been in tough times before. America with the physical and emotional strength of her people will come back again from the tough times we're facing in 2009.

Here's the list of WPA projects (buildings and art) in San Diego County:

Del Mar Fairgrounds - Buildings
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

TIP: The Del Mar race track was the only WPA built race-track. Why? Horse racing would be an economic boost. It was one of the most expensive WPA projects in San Diego County.

La Jolla Post Office - Building & Mural
1140 Wall St., La Jolla
Mural: "Scenic View of the Village" by Belle Baranceanu

San Diego Adobe Chapel - Building
4002 Wallace St., San Diego

TIP: This chapel actually was built as a house in 1850 and later became a chapel in 1858. With the WPA, in 1937, the chapel was brought down and rebuilt on neighboring site. Original parts of the structure including the tabernacle, altar, woodwork, pews, confessional and doors were incorporated into the rebuilt chapel. The new bricks for the chapel were made by the hands of the WPA workers.

Balboa Park - Buildings, Sculptures, Mural

Buildings
San Diego Hall of Champions
House of Hospitality
Old Globe Theatre
Balboa Park Club
Starlight Bowl

Sculptures:
"Four Cornerstones of American Democracy" by Frederick Schweigardt - Balboa Park Club
"Woman of Tehuantepec" by Donal Hord- House of Hospitality

Pepper Grove Playground - Picnic tables and benches
2004 Park Blvd., San Diego

Presidio Park - various work projects
2811 Jackson St, San Diego

TIP:The WPA constructed a lookout on the western edge, paved roads, created the rock gutters, built trails, installed the flagstaff, sprinkling system, drainage, and landscaping. Thank them for the restrooms, too.

Calvary Cemetery - Mission Hills (currently Pioneer Park)
1501 Washington Pl., San Diego

San Diego Post Office - Building & Mural
815 E St., San Diego
Mural: "The Transportation of the Mail"

TIP: Mural can be scene on exterior of building just above windows.

San Diego County Administration Center - Building & Sculpture
(Richard Requa-architect)
1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego
Sculpture: "Guardian of Water" sculpture fountain by Donal Hord can be found near the Harbor Drive entrance.

Coronado High School - Mural
650 D Ave., San Diego
Mural: "The Legend of California" 7-panel relief

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - various work projects
12551 Highway 79, San Diego

Fire Station and Ranger Station
Green Valley Campground
Paso Picacho Campground
Girl Scout and Boy Scout Camps

Buildings:
Open Air Theatre
Physical Plant Boiler Shop
Hardy Memorial Tower murals
Park benches
San Diego State classroom buildings
San Diego State ground improvements
Aztec Bowl

TIP: The WPA contributed $217K toward the Aztec Bowl project. The Aztec Bowl sat 10,000 people. It was dedicated October 3, 1936.

Sculpture: "Aztec" at Prospective Student Center
Donal Hord's Aztec Statue nicknamed "Montezuma"

Murals: Hardy Tower (now in Love Library)
"NRA Packages"
"San Diego Industry"

TIP: SDSU had two WPA commissioned murals. Both were located in the Hardy Memorial Tower. Years later, in 2004, they were discovered by students. Though some damage had been done, you can see the restored artwork in the Love Library.

Related Articles

· Donal Hord Sculptures in San Diego
· The Art of James Hubbell