Fort Peck Original Houses Historic District
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Built in 1934, the 12 houses in the district served as physical reminders of the New Deal's impact in Montana.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
While the government built the houses in the same style, they are varied in their appearance in order to create an attractive place for workers and their families to live. They are also located on the U-shaped Kansas Street, which adds to the neighborhood's appeal. The houses, which were designed in various configurations of the Cottage Picturesque style, are one-story tall and feature gabled and hipped roofs.
At its peak, there were approximately 10,000 to 11,000 workers building the dam at one time. Not all of them lived in Fort Peck as the government did not expect the large numbers of families that would come to Montana. In fact, many were forced to live in shantytowns, where there was no electricity or safe drinking water. In all, around 40,000 people lived in the area.
Sources
Otto, Rebecca J. "Fort Peck Original Houses Historic District." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. August 13, 1986. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/86002067_text.
Jon Roanhaus, via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Peck_Original_Houses_HD_NRHP_86002067_Valley_County,_MT.jpg