80^th Anniversary of the WPA 

Celebrate the WPA 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 12, at Lake Fort Smith State Park.

In 1932, a new federal agency was created as a way to put local men back to work in the wake of the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was created, and Mountainburg was selected as a project site for a dam for the city of Fort Smith.  Federal funding matched with city levies funded the “Clear Creek Project” from 1935–1936.

Help us capture the history of the WPA by sharing photographs and stories of the old park. We are encouraging family members of WPA workers to bring in historic photos or any type of memorabilia that would help us capture the essence of this historic WPA project. Other activities include video and music presentations, demonstrations, and a depression style lunch all for just $5 per person.