The WPA had a great impact on getting the unemployed back to work after the Great Depression in 1932.  Many people had been out of work and the WPA (Works Progress Administration), created in 1935, was part of the NEW DEAL programs established by former president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It was renamed the Work Projects Administration in 1939, when it was made part of the Federal Works Agency. The WPA was created to put persons needing employment on jobs created from useful projects. The WPA was responsible for building programs that included the construction of 116,000 buildings, 78,000 bridges, and 651,000 miles of road and the improvement of 800 airports. Included in the projects were the Art Project, Federal Writers’ Project, and the Federal Theatre Project. Close to 10,000 drawings, paintings, and sculptured works were produced through WPA projects, and many public buildings (especially post offices) were decorated with murals. The WPA was responsible for employing some 8.5 million persons and the appropriations totaled some $11 Billion. When the WWII started many people went back to work or were inducted into the military and eventually the WPA was no longer needed.  In  June, 1943, the agency officially went out of existence.

In Elbert County there were several worthwhile projects created and funded through the help of the WPA.  On a meeting in which several reports were made at a luncheon, Tuesday, May 21st, 1940 it was revealed several projects in Elbert County included hiring adult education teachers to teach reading and writing to illiterate adults and to children in remote areas not accessible to education facilities;  "relieving the ills of farmers" and paving roads, improving rural roads, or building roads especially for farmers to get their crops to market; providing commodities to some 499 Elbert County families which included 772 garments distributed; and building a sewing room where more than 21,000 garments were made.  Those in charge of the program was Harry G. Thornton, toastmaster, T. O. Tabor, Jr. Mayor pro tem, guest speaker, Miss Mary Hansard, county school superintendent, County Agent Web Tatum, Miss Louise Carithers and Mrs. Keiffer Carlton. 

One WPA project being approved during that time and earmarked for construction was the building of the Armory Auditorium. The building was vitally needed for the housing of the military and would serve as the headquarters of Headquarters Company and Company I, 122nd Infantry for a number of years. Prior to 1939, the National Guard was reorganized and the 214th Coast Artillery Regiment, Headquarters Company and Company "G" were stationed at Elberton.  The world events leading to WWII became the impetus to get the Armory Auditorium approved.  It was through Congressman Paul Brown (Bobby Brown State Park was named after Paul Brown's son)  and Senator Richard B. Russell who pushed for the approval of the project by the Federal Government through the WPA projects division.  The building was listed as a military project in Washington, DC. 

It was in 1938 the idea was conceived by the State Adjutant General to build the Armory Auditorium to house the military units stationed here in Elberton, but the idea was not approved until early in 1940 when Mayor J. S. Asbury, Mayor pro tem and council members David C. Auld, D. V. Bailey, Thomas N. Colley, R. H. Colley and T. O. Taylor after studying the feasibility of the project recommended to the City of Elberton and the County that we proceed.  It should be noted here that the local military organizations were inspected by a team of visiting high ranked officials in April, 1940, and the "outdated" quarters of the local military were approved temporarily based upon the recent approval of the bond referendum of the citizens of Elbert County.  It should be noted had the bond issue failed, the local National Guard Coast Artillery probably would not have remained in Elbert County. 

PROCLAMATION

Tuesday, March 12, 1940, being a day on which the voters of Elberton will determine whether they will authorize the issuance of $30,000 in bonds bearing an interest rate of 2 3/4% per annum, for the purpose of matching federal funds and constructing an auditorium-armory for the use of the people of the city and county; and believing it to be a duty of the citizen to vote; I, therefore, proclaim from 11:30 am to 12 noon. on said date a legal holiday period, and urge that all places of business and industrial plants be closed during said half hour, so that employees of said business houses and plants may have an opportunity to perform this duty due themselves and their city.

Signed:  J. S. Asbury, Mayor

Reported in the Elberton Star on March 13th, 1940, a bond issue was passed by a margin of 983 to 11 to issue $30,000 bonds at 2 3/4% for the purpose of building an auditorium.  "Mr. George Grogan, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and an active participant, wishes to thank those that helped pass the bond issue".  The High School boys and girls, the Jaycees, the American Legion, the local National Coast Guard Artillery, and the local telephone operators making calls throughout the day were thanked by Mr. Grogan. 

At that time it was estimated the cost would be $30,000 for the County and the Federal Government would pay the remainder of the $64,000. 

(Note: The following taken from newspaper articles on the architecture
during that time).
 The building is a granite and steel structure.  It was located on a lot (original land donated by William O. Jones when the Central High School was built in 1909) already owned by the city in the rear of Central School athletic field.  The building is 80 x 140 feet and three stories high.  It will probably be the only building in the nation where both the interior and exterior are finished in granite.  The stone work was constructed by Newton Brothers of Clemson, SC and will be full Ashly finished both inside and outside.  (It will be the most beautiful granite work ever seen in Elberton, a town that is accustomed to the stone work.  The stone was donated by local quarries and the local craftsmen were paid from funds through WPA and NYA.(National Youth Administration)   There are 42 granite columns supporting the floor and they contain enough stone to build a 9 room house!   Every bit of the foundation rests on bedrock. Richard "Dick" Aeck helped solve the acoustics problems with the architect.  The main auditorium is 75 x 100 feet and would seat 1500 people (Note: Architect now estimates 754 people).  The stage is 24 by 40 feet with dressing rooms.  The building was steam heated.  The top floor was used for officers quarters with arrangements for social meetings.  On the Church Street side there was room for 16 trucks, an athletic room, and dressing rooms for boys and girls.  (Note:  Aeck children and grandchildren practice Architecture in Atlanta, GA today).

The building was designed by architect Hunter. J. Price, the project superintendent on site was a Mr. Mize, and T. H. Massey, who supervised construction of WPA buildings in thirty-two counties of the district was the supervising authority for the Elberton auditorium-armory (Note: there are three children of Price whom the EC Society has been in contact with).

The actual construction began the last week of May, 1940, and the opening of the facility (Cornerstone was laid) was March 14, 1941 even though the inside was not completed until December, 1941. The Masons through The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia Dr. M. Preston Agee of Augusta, GA presided as the Master of Ceremonies and gave the opening speech.  Members of the Grand Lodge and members of the local Philomathea Lodge number 25 of Elberton were in attendance and assisted.  As reported this "represents a notable progressive achievement of the county".  Mayor Ben Sutton issued a proclamation asking the businesses and houses to close during this time and allow the supervisors and employees time to attend this important occasion.  The Ladies of the Rose M. Ashley Chapter 166 were asked to prepare the food for the banquet.  The cornerstone was designed and manufactured by the Comolli Granite Company owned by Felix and Louis (wife: Joyce) Comolli and they were responsible for setting the cornerstone.  Several other Lodges from Elberton and nearby communities also were in attendance.  The following articles were placed in the cornerstone:  "Roster of membership of Philomathea Lodge #25 F. & A. N., Roster of membership of Oliver Chapter #25 R. A. M.; Roster of membership of Elbert Council #25 R. & S. M.; Roster of Officers of  Elberton serving in the 214th COAST Artillery, Roster of enlisted men in Battery G, 214th Coast Artillery; list of Officials of the City of Elberton and heads of each department; list of officials of Elbert County; Guidon of old 3rd Battalion, 122nd Infantry, Georgia National Guard; Regimental Insignia and Crossed Rifles Collar Ornament of the old 122nd Infantry, Georgia National Guard; Insignia of 3rd Battalion, 122nd Infantry, National Guard; one ROYAL ARCH PENNY and 2 postage stamps of the Republic of Honduras, the only postage stamp ever issued showing a Masonic Edifice thereon, or with a Masonic subject,  these stamps show the Masonic Temple in Tegucigalpa, the Republic of Honduras."

In December, 1941, the bust of Roosevelt, designed by  Antonia Presi and created by Richard Cecchini, was given to the City of Elberton to be placed on the grounds of the Auditorium.  The special bust of Roosevelt was estimated to cost several thousand dollars in design and labor (Picture on website). 

After the building was opened, it was called the National Guard Armory and was used for the National Guard Headquarters, Motor Pool, and drill activities.  The officer's offices were upstairs and the main first floor was used for drill activities.  The lower floor housed the Motor Pool repair and storage.  Up to nine vehicles could be stored inside the Armory, and a fenced in area outside was used to store the remainder of the vehicles.  The National Guard used this building until 1956 when they moved to a new Armory facility on Highway 72 about 2 miles from the City Limits. 

Initially, the local school system used the stage on the main floor for graduation, school plays, school concerts, community concerts, and town meetings.  The main floor could seat some 700-1000 guests.  The Chamber of Commerce used the facility for their large group meetings and had Chamber of Commerce banquets seating some 700 patrons .  The main floor was a hardwood floor and the school basketball teams practiced and played conference games in the "gym".  The school continued to use the Armory through about 1976 frequently until a new high school was built.  The Elberton High School housed their State Champion basketball team at the Armory in 1956.  A new gym was built in 1963 beside the high school and in the immediate area of the Armory.  After 1976 when the new high school was built, the Middle School was moved to this old high school facility on the premises and the Middle School began to abandon the Armory Auditorium.  Over the years the building was not maintained and over time considerable water damage occurred to the front of the building in the upper offices and in the lobby area and bathrooms.  Consequently, in 1991 the Armory was completely abandoned and it was then used for storage (mainly junk).  Windows were knocked out and not replaced eventually, the roof leaked, and interior damage began to take place.  Finally the Armory was condemned and locked. 

In 2002, a new Middle School was built and the old Middle School was abandoned.  Now, in November, 2003, the Board of Education (original owners) has leased the old Middle School facilities along with the Armory to the Elbert County Government (Board of Commissioners) for their future offices.  The County Government proposed to tear down the old Armory, but after the Elbert County Historical Society got involved and the Jones Family who owned the land originally got involved, they convinced the County and the BOE to not tear down the old Armory.  Finally, a lease agreement between the BOE and the BOC  stated the facility would not be torn down and this was passed and signed by the County Government-the EC Board of Commissioners.

Presently, the Elbert County Historical Society and the Downtown Development Authority is seeking grants to rehabilitate the old Armory.  A GTOT$500,000 grant has been attained and a Robert W. Woodruff grant of $710,000 has been requested.