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Show (HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE CONTINUED) Despite its relationship to the larger High School building, it is our understanding that the Industrial Arts Building should qualify for the National Register as an example of the WPA work programs in Utah during the depression era . The Mechanical (or Industrial) Arts building, was built as a part of the Public Works program which came out of the "New Deal" legislation in the 30's during the great depression. In 1933 Utah had an unemployment rate of 36 percent, the forth highest in the country, and for the period of 1932-1940 Utah's unemployment rate averaged 25 percent. Because the depression hit Utah so hard, federal programs were extensive in the state. Overall, per capita federal spending in Utah during the 1930's was 9th among the 48 states, and the percentage of workers on federal work projects was far above the national average. Building programs were of great importance. During the 1930s virtually every public building constructed in Utah, including county courthouses, city halls, fire stations, national guard armories, public school buildings, and a variety of others, were built under federal programs by one of several agencies, including the Civil Works Administration (CWA), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), The National Youth Administration (NYA) , the Works Progress Administration (WPA), or the Public Works Administration (PWA), and almost without exception one of the buildings would have been built when they were without the assistance of the federal government. The Industrial Arts building in Park City is one of the 233 public works buildings identified in Utah that were built during the 1930s and early 1940s. Only 130 of those 233 buildings are known to remain today and retain their historic integrity. Of the 233, 107 were public school buildings . This is one of 43 elementary schools built, of which 19 are still standing. In Summit County 7 buildings were constructed, 6 of which remain . Approval for funding the building was given at a bond election in Park City on October 19,1935. Approval was overwhelming: 169 in favor to 12 opposed. Additional research of State records on the WPA's history in Utah states that the Jefferson and Lincoln schools were both demolished before construction began on the Marsac and Mechanical Arts building (in late 1935) and that salvaged materials were used in the new school buildings. District records on the history of the Park City School District show that the Lincoln School at 1031 Norfolk was approved for demolition on June 29, 1936 and that certain materials were donated to the city for ballast and fill. As these dates and facts are in conflict and as the State's earlier report is in err on the demolition's of both the Jefferson School and the Mechanical Arts Building, (both are still standing), I have concluded that the School District's record is probably more accurate and that the demolition of the Lincoln School was after construction began on the new school facilities . Accordingly, it is unlikely any significant building materials from these earlier buildings were used in the then new school facilities . |