Peering through the trees you can see the remnants of a bygone era. This is the site of WPA Work Camp No 1. It once stood as a testament to resilience during the Great Depression. Let’s step back in time and uncover the story of this camp.
In the 1930s, the Great Depression gripped America. More than 25 percent of the nation’s workforce was unemployed. President Franklin Roosevelt launched the New Deal to combat this crisis. One key program was the Works Progress Administration or WPA. The WPA aimed to provide jobs and hope to millions.
For homeless men, the government built transient camps across the country. Minnesota hosted 25 of these camps. This camp was named Mendota Work Camp No 1. It opened on January 8, 1936. The WPA Work Camp No 1 covered eight acres. It was designed to house up to 200 men. The camp included barracks and workshops. A recreation hall and an administration building were also present.
Interestingly, the WPA Work Camp No 1 was originally the only African-American camp in Minnesota. The men here averaged 40 years of age. They earned $15 to $25 per month plus room and board. For leisure, they built a baseball field. They played against other camps and local teams.
Roadside development was the camp’s primary focus. Workers completed grading along Highway 55. They restored the Jean-Baptiste Faribault house in Mendota. The scenic overlook south of the camp was their creation. They quarried stone from nearby limestone bluffs. This stone was used for their construction projects.
The WPA played a vital role in Minnesota. It erected 1,443 bridges. It built or improved 28,000 miles of roads. The WPA also constructed 1,324 public buildings. Fifty-two grandstands were built. One hundred nineteen athletic fields were created. Fifty-six sewage plants enhanced sanitation. Six swimming pools offered recreation. Three airports facilitated travel.
As America entered World War Two, factories ramped up production. The economy improved diminishing the need for WPA camps. In 1941, Mendota Work Camp No 1 closed. Most buildings were demolished or moved. Today, only building foundations remain. The ornate limestone chimney of the recreation hall still stands. It is a reminder of the past.
The WPA ended in 1943. It expended almost $117 million of federal money in Arkansas. Local and state sponsors contributed $36 million. The WPA improved infrastructure. It provided much-needed social services. It also supported countless families during a difficult time. The WPA’s impact on Minnesota and the nation is undeniable. The WPA Work Camp No 1 serves as a reminder of those efforts.