The federal Public Works Administration of the 1930s saw unique projects in many New Mexico communities that supported traditional folk arts along with impressive public projects such as parks, community buildings, art and murals. Often these projects reflected local adobe architectural forms and craftsmanship.
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Lea County Courthouse
Southeast Region: Lovington
Constructed 1937. While it appears that the funds used to construct the Lea County Courthouse are NOT the result of New Deal programs, the style is similar to that of other New Deal-era courthouses. The county was experiencing an oil boom at the time and it is possible that it Read more…
Lee Belle Johnson Center
Southwest Region: Truth or Consequences
This building bears WPA markers on its exterior. 301 S. Foch St. Truth or Consequences, NM 87901 | 575-894-6641
Main Street Sidewalks – WPA Stamps
Northeast Region: Clayton
Constructed 1942. A WPA stamp in the sidewalk can be found at this address and along Main Street. The downtown sidewalks will soon be replaced in a NM Department of Transportation construction project, but the WPA stamps will be preserved and placed in the new sidewalks. 10 Main St. | Read more…
Marshall Memorial Library
Southwest Region: Deming
Constructed 1935. The land on the corner of Tin and Hemlock, was acquired in 1921 for $900. It was not until 1935, however, that the library building was constructed with funds provided by the Public Works Administration. Although the building was remodeled and enlarged throughout the years, the original architectural Read more…
McKinley County Courthouse
Northwest Region: Gallup
Constructed 1939. Built in 1939, the McKinley County Courthouse was partially funded by the Public Works Administration and is listed on the state and national historic registers. Designed by the regionally renowned firm Trost & Trost, the four-story Spanish-Pueblo Revival style building is embellished in its interior with wood beams, Read more…
Monte Vista Fire Station
Central Region: Albuquerque
Constructed 1936. Recognized on both the state and national historic register, Monte Vista Fire Station, designed by city architect E.H. Blumenthal, was built with WPA funds and completed in 1936. The hollow block and stucco building was constructed with local materials and labor. It is built in the Pueblo Revival Read more…
Morgan Hall
Southwest Region: Deming
Constructed 1908. Built in 1908, it was originally the City Hall and fire station. It was remodeled in 1938 by the WPA in Spanish-Pueblo Revival Style. Meeting rooms, a stage, and an auditorium with high ceilings are still used for meetings,stage productions, and music venue as the Deming Performing Arts Read more…
NM Highlands University – Rogers Hall
North Region: Las Vegas
Constructed 1937 Designed by John Gaw Meem and constructed by the WPA, Rogers Hall was completed in 1937 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The walls of the main staircase and the second floor foyer are covered with a mural, “The Dissemination of Education in New Mexico,” completed in 1937 Read more…
Octavia Fellin Public Library
Northwest Region: Gallup
The Octavia Fellin Library houses a collection of New Deal art obtained from the Gallup Arts Center (a WPA Arts Center) when it was demolished to make room for the new Gallup City Hall. Documents at the library detail each work as well as the history of the collection. The Read more…
Old Belen City Hall
Central Region: Belen
Constructed 1937. The original Belen City Hall was completed by the WPA in 1937. The building still belongs to the city, but is no longer in use. With assistance from New Mexico MainStreet, Belen MainStreet recently completed a Facade Squad on the building, painting and repairing the exterior of the Read more…