The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
Showing posts with label federal housing projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label federal housing projects. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Wilmington's WW II Role, By the Numbers-- Part 3: Rommel's Afrika Korps and Housing
Wilmington, North Carolina
550-- German POWs from Rommel's Afrika Korps
3,500-- Estimated number of uniformed soldiers hosted by the USO each week from 1941-1945.
5,495-- Public Housing units constructed to help deal with the population surge.
100,000-- County population by late 1943. Three years later, it was 43,000 in peace time.
Information from Wilbur Jones
--GreGen
Monday, February 18, 2019
Another Housing Development Well Under Way in DeKalb in 1943
From the October 31, 2018, MidWeek "Looking Back."
1943, 75 Years Ago.
"Rapid progress is being made on the housing project which started recently on the tract of land on Sycamore road between Fourth and Seventh Streets. Sixty single unit homes of brick construction are to be built and the project is developing in a rapid manner.
"Brick work has been completed on two of the homes and is nearing completion on a couple of others. Basements have been dug for 25 and foundations have been poured for ten of the units."
GreGen
Monday, March 19, 2018
N.C.'s Liberty Armada-- Part 4: Housing Projects for Workers
The N.C. Shipbuilding Co. was able to get Federal subsidies to construct three housing projects for 900 workers and their families.
Greenfield Terrace was a permanent one to house 300 white families with rents starting at $27.50 a month. Lake Village had temporary fabrication houses for another 475 white families. The 126 black families had Hillcrest Extension, a permanent community with rents from $10 to $22.
The two white communities were located near Greenfield Lake, just north of the shipyard and an easy commute. Housing for the black workers were several miles away.
Buses served all three communities and eventually there were 140 trucks and buses ferrying people around.
These buses were often crowded qt the end of shifts and workers got to them as past as possible to avoid being straphangers and standing.
--GreGen
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Shorpy Home Front Photos: Back to Arlington Farms Women Housing
Esther Bubley of the Office of War Information (OWI) was out to Arlington Farms women's housing taking photos of life there for them.
I have previously written about the housing there, hit the Arlington Farms label. Of course, with all the single women there, it was a big magnet for male service personnel.
5-27-16 NIGHT MOVES: 1943. June 1943, Arlington, Virginia. "Girls entertain their guests in one of the two card rooms at a residence for women who work in the U.S. government for the duration of the war." In this one, the three women and three soldiers are actually playing a game of cards, maybe.
5-28-16 FOUR OF HEARTS: 1943-- June 1943, Arlington, Virginia. "Girls entertaining their guests in one of the two card rooms at a residence for women who work in the U.S. government for the duration of the war. More privacy is afforded here than in the main lounge.
And, these two gals are doing their part for the war effort. No cards are being played, but lots of smooching going on. I volunteer to pose for this photo.
--GreGen
I have previously written about the housing there, hit the Arlington Farms label. Of course, with all the single women there, it was a big magnet for male service personnel.
5-27-16 NIGHT MOVES: 1943. June 1943, Arlington, Virginia. "Girls entertain their guests in one of the two card rooms at a residence for women who work in the U.S. government for the duration of the war." In this one, the three women and three soldiers are actually playing a game of cards, maybe.
5-28-16 FOUR OF HEARTS: 1943-- June 1943, Arlington, Virginia. "Girls entertaining their guests in one of the two card rooms at a residence for women who work in the U.S. government for the duration of the war. More privacy is afforded here than in the main lounge.
And, these two gals are doing their part for the war effort. No cards are being played, but lots of smooching going on. I volunteer to pose for this photo.
--GreGen
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Serious Housing Shortage in Wartime Wilmington in 1943
From the March 5, 2013, Wilmington (NC) Star News "Back Then."
FEBRUARY 28, 1943 Wilmington Star-News.
"The shortage of all types of housing despite the completion of federal-built housing projects here, is now more serious than it has been since the beginning of the war boom," Louis E. Woodbury, manager of the Wilmington War Housing Center, said.
"No vacancies are now listed at either of the War Housing center or the Army's billeting office, and many people are searching the city for places to live.
"As a temporary measure to abate the critical housing shortage, the Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington is opening 200 dormitory rooms in the Maffitt Village to all persons seeking a place to stay until they can find more permanent quarters."
These had originally been built for single male shipyard workers, but now 72 of them had been opened to women.
--GreGen
FEBRUARY 28, 1943 Wilmington Star-News.
"The shortage of all types of housing despite the completion of federal-built housing projects here, is now more serious than it has been since the beginning of the war boom," Louis E. Woodbury, manager of the Wilmington War Housing Center, said.
"No vacancies are now listed at either of the War Housing center or the Army's billeting office, and many people are searching the city for places to live.
"As a temporary measure to abate the critical housing shortage, the Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington is opening 200 dormitory rooms in the Maffitt Village to all persons seeking a place to stay until they can find more permanent quarters."
These had originally been built for single male shipyard workers, but now 72 of them had been opened to women.
--GreGen
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
More Federal Housing in Wilmington
From the Jan. 22, 1943, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Back Then."
JANUARY 4, 1943: An additional 180 homes in the John N. Maffitt housing project for shipyard workers were turned over to the housing authority.
By then, 4471 of 800 houses had been completed. Another 3,500 shipyard worker homes were expected.
Wilmington's population increased tremendously during the war and housing was always in short supply.
--GreGen
JANUARY 4, 1943: An additional 180 homes in the John N. Maffitt housing project for shipyard workers were turned over to the housing authority.
By then, 4471 of 800 houses had been completed. Another 3,500 shipyard worker homes were expected.
Wilmington's population increased tremendously during the war and housing was always in short supply.
--GreGen
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Whiskey Rationing Coming, Huge Growth in Wilmington
From the December 22, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star News "Back Then"
DECEMBER 6, 1942: "Coupon rationing of whiskey will become effective in the state Dec. 10.
The sale of wine through ABC stores was not affected.
Of North Carolina's 100 counties, only 25, including New Hanover, had the ABC stores.
On DECEMBER 7, 1942, a year into the war, on the front page, there were some amazing numbers. There were 4,000 members of the Office of Civilian defense, 18,000 employees at the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company and 2,595 Federal Housing Agency homes.
Wilmington's population had boomed from 33,407 in 1940 to 90,000 by the end of 1942. New Hanover County's population was up to 120,000 from 47,935.
Impact of War. GreGen
DECEMBER 6, 1942: "Coupon rationing of whiskey will become effective in the state Dec. 10.
The sale of wine through ABC stores was not affected.
Of North Carolina's 100 counties, only 25, including New Hanover, had the ABC stores.
On DECEMBER 7, 1942, a year into the war, on the front page, there were some amazing numbers. There were 4,000 members of the Office of Civilian defense, 18,000 employees at the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company and 2,595 Federal Housing Agency homes.
Wilmington's population had boomed from 33,407 in 1940 to 90,000 by the end of 1942. New Hanover County's population was up to 120,000 from 47,935.
Impact of War. GreGen
Monday, November 17, 2014
Wilmington at War: Maffitt Village
From the August 7, 2012, Wilmington (NC) Star-News, "Back Then"
According to Wilmington's World War II expert, Wilbur Jones, the public housing project built near the shipyard in Wilmington was built in late 1942 and 1943. It is now called Long leaf Park, but then was known as Maffitt Village. The old Maffitt Village homes were cinderblock were torn down. They had been built earlier in 1942.
There were dormitories on the east side of Carolina Beach Road, across from Maffitt Village. They are located near an extended stay motel and the Frontier.
The barrack-looking building that still stands near the port on Burnett Boulevard was housing for the N.C. Shipbuilding Company's apprentice school and later was the USMC Reserve Center.
You can find out more about the World War II housing project at maffittvillage.com.
--GreGen
According to Wilmington's World War II expert, Wilbur Jones, the public housing project built near the shipyard in Wilmington was built in late 1942 and 1943. It is now called Long leaf Park, but then was known as Maffitt Village. The old Maffitt Village homes were cinderblock were torn down. They had been built earlier in 1942.
There were dormitories on the east side of Carolina Beach Road, across from Maffitt Village. They are located near an extended stay motel and the Frontier.
The barrack-looking building that still stands near the port on Burnett Boulevard was housing for the N.C. Shipbuilding Company's apprentice school and later was the USMC Reserve Center.
You can find out more about the World War II housing project at maffittvillage.com.
--GreGen
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Wartime Wilmington, N.C.-- Part 5: Info Wanted on Mafffitt Village
Scott Nunn, who does the Back Then articles in the Wilmington Starr wanted readers to send in any information on the original Maffitt Village, southwest of current Long Leaf Park. Maffitt Village was a federal housing complex built to house Wilmington's huge population growth during the war.
He grew up there and used to play on the old concrete slabs in the woods and also came across manhole covers while growing up.
His late uncle, Captain R.K. Buie drove a bus in the area during the war.
While growing up, he also came across some old earthworks from the Civil War.
--GreGen
He grew up there and used to play on the old concrete slabs in the woods and also came across manhole covers while growing up.
His late uncle, Captain R.K. Buie drove a bus in the area during the war.
While growing up, he also came across some old earthworks from the Civil War.
--GreGen
Monday, June 2, 2014
What Were These Arlington Farms?-- Part 3: "28 Acres of Girls"
Housing at Arlington Farms was segregated..
To qualify to live there, government workers had to earn between $1,260 to $1,620 a year.
Four dorms housed service women, primarily WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service and six for civilians.
A single 8'-by'10' room rented for $24.50 and a double for $16.50 a month.
It didn't take long for the complex to become known as "28 Acres of Girls" and "G-Girl heaven."
After the war ended, the complex continued in use for five years. By 1950, fewer than 1,800 women remained and the government began closing it and turning the land over to the military. During the Korean War it was used as a draft center.
The dorms were demolished in the mid-60s and today the site is part of Arlington National Cemetery. So That's Arlington Farms. --GreGen
To qualify to live there, government workers had to earn between $1,260 to $1,620 a year.
Four dorms housed service women, primarily WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service and six for civilians.
A single 8'-by'10' room rented for $24.50 and a double for $16.50 a month.
It didn't take long for the complex to become known as "28 Acres of Girls" and "G-Girl heaven."
After the war ended, the complex continued in use for five years. By 1950, fewer than 1,800 women remained and the government began closing it and turning the land over to the military. During the Korean War it was used as a draft center.
The dorms were demolished in the mid-60s and today the site is part of Arlington National Cemetery. So That's Arlington Farms. --GreGen
What Were These Arlington Farms?-- Part 2
Some 7,000 units were slated for construction at Arlington Farms, just across from the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington, D.C.. The FWA awarded $4 million for construction of dorms in 1942. The first occupants moved in on March 1, 1943.
Ten dorms were built, each one named for a state (hence Idaho Hall) The site also included auxiliary buildings, an infirmary and a recreation hall, all set on 28-acres of a 108-acre site. Six dorms housed civilians and were described as "extremely temporary in appearance."
Decorations inside and outside of the dorms were provided by WPA artists.
--GreGen
Ten dorms were built, each one named for a state (hence Idaho Hall) The site also included auxiliary buildings, an infirmary and a recreation hall, all set on 28-acres of a 108-acre site. Six dorms housed civilians and were described as "extremely temporary in appearance."
Decorations inside and outside of the dorms were provided by WPA artists.
--GreGen
What Were These Arlington Farms?-- Part 1
The previous post I wrote about Shorpy photo of a service man buying a Coke for a young woman at Idaho Hall at the Arlington Farms in Arlington, Virginia. Having a hall at a farm with people just didn't make much sense to me. Further research was needed.
From Wikipedia.
Arlington Farms was a temporary housing complex for female civil service members built during World War II. They were built between 1942-1943 by the Federal Works Administration. The complex got its name because it was located at the former site of the Arlington Experimental Farm on the grounds of the 1,100-acre Curtis-Lee family estate in Arlington County, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C..
The U.S. government began planning for the influx of workers needed to carry on a war even before Pearl Harbor was attacked. In late 1940, FDR signed a law to move the Experimental Farm to Beltsville, Maryland, to allow for the expansion of the military cantonment at Fort Myer.
Originally the site was considered for the new War department building, but the Pentagon was built elsewhere starting in 1941.
--GreGen
From Wikipedia.
Arlington Farms was a temporary housing complex for female civil service members built during World War II. They were built between 1942-1943 by the Federal Works Administration. The complex got its name because it was located at the former site of the Arlington Experimental Farm on the grounds of the 1,100-acre Curtis-Lee family estate in Arlington County, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C..
The U.S. government began planning for the influx of workers needed to carry on a war even before Pearl Harbor was attacked. In late 1940, FDR signed a law to move the Experimental Farm to Beltsville, Maryland, to allow for the expansion of the military cantonment at Fort Myer.
Originally the site was considered for the new War department building, but the Pentagon was built elsewhere starting in 1941.
--GreGen
Monday, March 10, 2014
Continuing With Muskegon During WW II: La Colonia Housing-- Part 2
Continued from Saturday.
Estevan Ramirez was one of scores of Latino men recruited from the sugar beet fields in the Saginaw area to work at Campbell, Wyant and Cannon during World War II.
They were provided with good jobs and housing at Ryerson Heights. Many more came as word got around.
Ryerson Heights Housing was only in existence for nine years. In 1954, the last one story barrack-like units were razed and residents scattered. Many of the Latinos remained in Muskegon.
--GreGen
Estevan Ramirez was one of scores of Latino men recruited from the sugar beet fields in the Saginaw area to work at Campbell, Wyant and Cannon during World War II.
They were provided with good jobs and housing at Ryerson Heights. Many more came as word got around.
Ryerson Heights Housing was only in existence for nine years. In 1954, the last one story barrack-like units were razed and residents scattered. Many of the Latinos remained in Muskegon.
--GreGen
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Continuing With Muskegon During World War II: La Colonia Housing-- Part 1
From the Jan. 3. 2008 M-Live All Michigan "Viva La Colonia" by Susan Harrison Wolffis of the Muskegon Chronicle.
Ryerson Heights Housing was built in 1943 to accommodate World War II defense plant workers and their families. There were forty or so Hispanic families clustered in one section of the 375 unit federal housing project called Ryerson Heights along Ryerson Creek on Getty Street. These families referred to their area of Ryerson Heights as La Colonia, the Colony.
Ryerson Heights was one of four federal housing projects built in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights: Ruddiman Terrace, Forest Homes and Fairview Homes.
I've written about Fairview Homes, the black units, earlier.
--GreGen
Ryerson Heights Housing was built in 1943 to accommodate World War II defense plant workers and their families. There were forty or so Hispanic families clustered in one section of the 375 unit federal housing project called Ryerson Heights along Ryerson Creek on Getty Street. These families referred to their area of Ryerson Heights as La Colonia, the Colony.
Ryerson Heights was one of four federal housing projects built in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights: Ruddiman Terrace, Forest Homes and Fairview Homes.
I've written about Fairview Homes, the black units, earlier.
--GreGen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)