Great Depression
suggested images:
Olathe Public Library
Johnson County Archives
Johnson County Museum
Activity #1: WPA Projects in Johnson County
Materials
- Background Information for Teacher and Students
- Articles “Relief, Recovery and Reform: The New Deal in Johnson County” and “Albert T. Reid and ‘The Romance of the Mail‘” from the Winter 2006 ALBUM
- WPA newspaper articles
- Johnson County Democrat June 30, 1838 “Summer Play Ground Open Monday June 26”
- Johnson County Democrat April 16, 1935. “To Start Double Shift at Gardner Lake”
- Johnson County Democrat February 8, 1934. “New State Lake at Gardner Assured”
- Johnson County Democrat May 24, 1935. “Gardner Lake Project is Underway”
- Johnson County Democrat August 8, 1935. “Camp Work Project”
- Johnson County Democrat July 11, 1935. “Celebrate Fourth at Gardner Lake Site”
- Johnson County Democrat August 1, 1935. “Welcome to ‘the Spillway’”
- Johnson County Kansas City Star July 31, 1937 p. 1. “Gardner Proud of Lake: the Fisherman Believe it Will be an Anglers' Haven”
- Johnson County Kansas City Star July 31, 1937 p. 2. “Gardner Proud of Lake: the Fisherman Believe it Will be an Anglers' Haven”
- Historic photos of WPA projects in Johnson County
Curriculum Objectives
High School History Standard, Benchmark 2, Indicator 2: The student researches how the WPA altered the Kansas landscape.
Activity Ideas:
- Make a tour brochure of WPA sites in Johnson County using information from www.jocohistory.net and additional library research. Brochures can include a map with locations of the site, historic photographs of the site and modern-day photos of the sites. Print the brochure or post it online.
- Write a research paper on building and use of Gardner Lake, using primary sources (newspaper articles, photos) and secondary information (ALBUM article and Background information) found on www.jocohistory.net.
