During the Great Depression, the Civil Works Program played a critical role in providing employment opportunities and stimulating economic activity in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The sources provide a detailed glimpse into the various projects undertaken under this program, highlighting its impact on the county's infrastructure and the livelihoods of its residents.
The most prominent category of Civil Works projects in Pocahontas County was road construction and improvement. The sources list numerous road projects and the corresponding number of men employed on each, demonstrating the significant investment in this area. These projects included:
- Cass street work: Employing 20 men.
- Thornyll-Atlinwood road: Employing 36 men.
- Back Allegheny road: Employing 33 men.
- Denmar road: Employing 15 men.
- Seneca Trail: Employing 29 men.
- Marlinton street work: Employing 69 men.
- Woodrow road: Employing 25 men.
- Cloverlick road: Employing 30 men.
- Lobella-Jacques road: Employing 30 men.
- Browns Creek road: Employing 16 men.
In addition to these ongoing projects, several others were under consideration at the time, suggesting a continuous effort to expand the program and address the county's infrastructure needs. The proposed projects included:
- Cass to Greenbdnk road
- Hillsboro to Lobella road
Beyond roadwork, the Civil Works Program also addressed other crucial infrastructure needs in Pocahontas County. A noteworthy project was the Durbin Sewers project, which employed 72 men. This undertaking signifies the program's attention to public health and sanitation, further contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
Additionally, the program included projects focused on education and water resources. The sources list grading work at Cass and Durbin schools as well as the construction of 25 dug wells as contemplated projects. These initiatives highlight the broader scope of the Civil Works Program, encompassing not only physical infrastructure but also essential services and facilities for the county's residents.
The program's impact extended beyond mere job creation; it infused much-needed capital into the local economy. The sources mention the issuance of the first paychecks to workers, many for $15, indicating the circulation of over 400 checks within the county in a single week. This financial influx undoubtedly provided relief to families struggling during the Depression and likely had a ripple effect on local businesses and services.
The Civil Works Program in Pocahontas County exemplifies the nationwide effort to combat the Great Depression through public works projects. It provided immediate relief through employment while simultaneously investing in long-term improvements to infrastructure, education, and public health. The sources paint a vivid picture of this endeavor, showcasing its tangible contributions to the county's recovery and progress.
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Total Number of Men Employed on Pocahontas County's Civil Works Projects
As of a specific Monday during the period when the Civil Works Program was in operation, at least 445 men were employed on various projects throughout Pocahontas County. This figure represents over 60% of the county's total allotment of 627 men under the program [1]. Pocahontas County demonstrated a significantly higher utilization rate of its allotment compared to other counties in West Virginia, none of which had exceeded 50% utilization at that time [1].
It's important to note that the figure of 445 men represents only those employed on projects as of a particular Monday. The sources also mention additional projects being considered, suggesting that the total number of men who worked on Civil Works projects in Pocahontas County could be higher [2, 3]. One such project was the construction of needed roads and bridges at Denmar, which was estimated to employ an additional 50 men [3]. If this project was approved and added to the existing ones, the total number of men employed would have risen to 495.
Furthermore, the sources indicate that the Civil Works Program was still underway and expanding, meaning that even more men could have been employed on projects in the weeks and months following the Monday referenced in the article [1]. This suggests that 445 men represent a minimum number, and the actual total could have been considerably larger depending on the duration and scope of the program in Pocahontas County.
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Workforce on the Durbin Sewers Project
The sources indicate that 72 men were employed on the Durbin Sewers project in Pocahontas County. This project was part of the Civil Works Program, a Depression-era initiative aimed at providing employment opportunities. The program, overseen by the R.F.C. (Reconstruction Finance Corporation), had an allotment of 627 men for Pocahontas County, out of a total of 72,000 for the entire state of West Virginia. As of a certain Monday during this period, Pocahontas County had already put 445 men to work, representing over 60 percent of its allotment. This was a significantly higher utilization rate than any other county in the state, where no county had surpassed 50 percent. [1, 2]
The Durbin Sewers project, alongside other road and street improvement projects, highlights the focus of the Civil Works Program on public works as a means of economic recovery. [3] These initiatives aimed to not only provide immediate relief through employment but also to improve infrastructure and public services. The sources note that the first checks, many of which were for $15, were issued the Friday before the Monday referenced, with the expectation of over 400 checks circulating within the county the following week. [4] This suggests a significant impact of the program on the local economy. The list of ongoing and planned projects also underscores the scale and scope of the Civil Works Program in Pocahontas County. [3, 5]
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72 men were employed on the Durbin Sewers project in Pocahontas County. [1] This was one of many projects underway as part of the Civil Works Program in the county. [1]
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