WPA Schools and Stadiums of Northwest Ohio
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The legacy of the Works Progress Administration can be seen all across Northwest Ohio. From post offices to schools to water plants, the WPA created buildings that have become focal points of communities. It also created some of the area’s most historic sporting venues.
Established during the height of the Great Depression, the WPA put many long-unemployed citizens to work. The goal was to create a breadwinner for distraught households while also creating projects they would benefit the common good. From 1935 to 1943 the WPA employed millions of workers and created long-lasting projects that can still be seen today.
The following is an alphabetical look at schools and stadiums built by the WPA used by high schools in Northwest Ohio.
Birmingham High School Gymnasium
Birmingham High School in Erie County was a small rural school that closed in 1954 due to district consolidation. It is unknown currently what conferences, if any, the school belonged too. The gymnasium was built in 1936 and lasted until the school was demolished in 1995. The space is now currently a public park where only the entrance way to the school still stands
Bluffton Harmon Field Stadium
The stadium at Harmon Field in Bluffton has been going strong since 1936. The first game took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1936, with the dedication happening the following year. The stadium still stands today with the only addition being the press box. The WPA was not the only benefactor to assist Bluffton athletics. The historic Harmon Field was actually donated by a wealthy benefactor that gave to communities all across Northwest Ohio.
Bryan Stadium
Bryan Stadium was built in downtown at the old high school in 1936. These grandstands remained in use until the new stadium was built in its current location. They have since been demolished after being used for high school football for nearly 50 years.
Delphos Stadium Park
Stadium Park in Delphos was created in 1940 as part of many WPA projects in the town. The park housed a football stadium, baseball fields and a swimming pool. The stadium has been home to both the Delphos Jefferson Wildcats and the Delphos St. John’s Blue Jays. The original stadium construction shown still stands but aluminum bleachers have been added to replace the original concrete seats.
Fremont Ross Harmon Field Stadium
Another one of the famed Harmon Fields, Fremont Ross and Fremont St. Joseph’s current site for football used to feature concrete bleachers where the stadium style seating now sits. Home to many NFL players and dominate teams of the mid-20th century, these bleachers were synonymous with Harmon Field until their replacement in 2006.
Lima Stadium
Lima Stadium, now known as Spartan Stadium, was erected in 1936 at its still current location. Originally featuring concrete bleachers, the stadium has been home to not only football games, but also track & field, soccer and lacrosse contests. The first game took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1936 between Lima Central and Lima South. The stadium has scene dozens of future NFL players take the field.
Monroeville High School
Monroeville High School was constructed in 1936 and still stands today. Although it has gone under significant renovations and additions, the building is still the center of the school district. The gymnasium remained in varsity use until 2016 when a new gymnasium and athletic building was built.
Sandusky Strobel Field
Strobel Field in Sandusky has seen such a multitude of athletes come through its hallowed halls it is unknown how many future stars made their impressions here. Built in 1936, Strobel Field was one of the biggest WPA stadium projects for a high school in the country. The stadium is surrounded by a concrete wall and has been used by both Sandusky and Sandusky St. Mary’s. The stadium and wall still stand to this day.
St. Marys Memorial Stadium
What is now known as Skip Baughman Stadium was originally constructed in 1937. The stadium was the home of the St. Marys Memorial Roughriders until the 2019 season. Originally built behind the long-standing high school, the stadium was sold to the city where the original WPA bleachers were demolished and the rest used as a park for youth sporting events.
Tiffin Frost-Kalnow Stadium
Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin has been home to three high schools and two universities. Now home to Tiffin Columbian HS, Tiffin Calvert HS and Tiffin University, Frost-Kalnow stadium has been showcasing athletic events since its inception in 1939. The original hillside bleachers are still in use today.
Toledo Macomber High School
The entirety of Toledo Macomber was constructed under the authority of the WPA. The vocational school was home to the Macmen from 1935 to its closing in 1991. The school did not have outdoor athletic facilities but did feature a gym which of course featured the famed 1989 state championship team. The building is still standing today but is used by a private charity.
Van Wert Eggerss Stadium
Eggerss Stadium is possibly the most quintessential WPA stadiums. Built in 1936, Eggerss stadium has been home to Van Wert football ever since. With original concrete bleachers and concrete walls surrounding the complex, Eggerss stadium gives a one-of-a-kind stadium experience that is hard to find in western Ohio.
Wakeman High School
The second Wakeman High School building was constructed in 1937 by the WPA. Wakeman was a member of the Huron County League until 1952 when it consolidated with Townsend. The school would go on to be used as the first building of what is now Western Reserve High School.
Other Schools
The following school may have received assistance from the WPA to build athletic facilities or a new school but records and photographic evidence were not available to confirm them at the time of publication.
Bellevue Harmon Field bleachers and lights
Celina HS Stadium and possibly gymnasium
Crestline HS Stadium
Liberty Center HS Stadium
Marion Harding HS Stadium
Wapakoneta HS Stadium (Harmon Field)
Sources
https://www.classmates.com/siteui/home