The Depression Era left its impression on Woods County through a number of Works Progress Administration (WPA) Structures. The old armory in Alva, which is located 2 blocks east and north of the downtown square is now owned by the Alva Public Schools and is used as a “bus barn”. The Alva Public Swimming Pool, which is located on the west edge of town near Hatfield Park has remained in continuous use since its construction. On the NWOSU campus, there are a number of WPA structures. These include Jesse Dunn classroom building, which is located on the northeast edge of campus; the Struckle Education Center Building, which is located on the west side of campus just south of the restored McKeever School House; and Shockley Hall, which is located on the far west edge of campus. Many of the WPA sidewalks remain in use on the Northwestern Campus as well. We hope you will take the time to visit each of these wonderful contributions to Alva’s architectural history. Many of the WPA structures are Art Deco in design or Depression Era Deco, such as the Cherokee Strip Museum building on the west edge of Alva. The museum building, while not a WPA structure, is emblematic of the architecture of the Depression Era. Take a tour around the community and see for yourself what remains from this period in American History.