Roosevelt County - Community Benefits of the New Deal
Background Info/ Historical Story:
“A change in Federal Administration brought in President Franklin Roosevelt and the beginning of the alphabetical programs-CCC for young men and youth building dams (Medicine Lake) and irrigation ditches; WPA (Works Progress Administration) which provided for work on roads, bridges or almost any place where work could be found; and the PWA (Public Works Administration) under which Fort Peck Dam was authorized, and several local school gymnasiums were built. Most people were willing to work at almost anything which would provide food for their families. Many farmers would work at Fort Peck in the winter and come back to their farms only to try again the next summer to raise a crop.”- Roosevelt County’s Treasured Years
“The fall of 1937 Leo went to work in the CCC’s. He got $25 a month, so he kept $5, and sent home $20 home to his mother. He was stationed at Squaw Creek Camp.”- Bob Schwarzrock, Roosevelt County’s Treasured Years
“During the WPA days of 1938 -1940 much repair work was done for the city on the fire hydrant, light pole, man holes and sewer drains , streets and cross walk. According to Resolution No. 107 on March 7, 1938 a street poll tax was levied on each able-bodied man between the ages of 21 to 45 years. The alternative to paying the tax was one day of free labor on the city streets . This tax was in effect for two years, costing each man a total of 4.00. City taxation rose with the needs and cost of the city; from the first ten mills in 1916 to 50 mill in 1926 and by 1933 had risen to 73 mills. During the depression and war years it leveled off at about 40 mills.”- Roosevelt County’s Treasured Years
“(Works Progress Administration) which provided for work on roads, bridges or almost any place where work could be found; and the PWA (Public Works Administration) under which Fort Peck Dam was authorized, and several local school gymnasiums were built. Most people were willing to work at almost anything which would provide food for their families. Many farmers would work at Fort Peck in the winter and come back to their farms only to try again the next summer to raise a crop.”- Roosevelt County’s Treasured Years
Collections Spotlight:
- The Searchlight and Continuation of the Culbertson, Roosevelt County, Montana, Fri, Oct 20, 1933 - Fort Peck Dam Article