In 1937, the California Department of Natural Resources sponsored the Works Progress Administration to “Construct warehouse, garage, barracks, and residence; install refrigeration plant, water mains, and sewer facilities; landscape and improve grounds; and perform other appurtenant and incidental work, at… read more
Two different WPA projects involved improvements at Camp San Luis Obispo, a National Guard Training camp, formerly Camp Merriam, originally constructed in 1928. WPA Proj. No. 165-3-2634, September 17, 1936, Total sponsor and Federal funds $4,494, Months to Complete 5,… read more
A low masonry headwall rises above a sidewalk on the west side Chorro Street in a residential area south of downtown San Luis Obispo. Spanning a small creek, the Chorro Street Bridge was constructed under a WPA street and drainage… read more
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) did improvements to the San Luis Obispo water supply in the 1930s. WPA photographs from the National Archives show workers laying water pipes in city streets. Exactly when and where is not known to us.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was thoroughly restored in the 1930s under the guidance of Father John Hartnett, after a long history of neglect. A previous rebuild in 1868 had added wooden siding and a wooden tower in New… read more
In 1940, the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse was rebuilt by the New Deal on the site of the original county courthouse of 1851 and a Greek Revival courthouse of 1873. The North Wing of the 1940 courthouse was in… read more
The Works Progress Administration built the Stenner Creek Bridge in San Luis Obispo. The work included the following: “Demolish old bridge and construct timber truss bridge, over Stenner Creek on Foothill Boulevard, near the city of San Luis Obispo, in San… read more
This brick Romanesque architecture building overlooking the city was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) on the property of the long-closed County Hospital. This is a former Tubercular Hospital. According to a WPA job card, the project scope was… read more