A Better Chicago: WPA's Urban Renewal, 1937

This silent film from 1937 documents the transformative Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects in Chicago, aimed at improving the city's infrastructure and quality of life. It showcases various initiatives including the laying of sewer pipes, clearing debris from the lakefront, and the meticulous reconstruction of animal skeletons at the Field Museum. The film also covers the extension of airport runways, the creation of drainage systems, and the demolition of slum buildings to make way for new housing projects. Scenes from parks, zoos, and playgrounds highlight recreational enhancements, while auto safety checks, the demolition of hazardous structures like grain elevators, and activities in nursery schools illustrate the WPA's broad commitment to safety, education, and urban beautification during the Great Depression.