A New Deal for Hamilton County
Driving the New Deal
Self-guided audio driving tour
Explore the past at your own pace with this audio driving tour of Hamilton County history. The tour focuses on the built legacy of the New Deal, a federal work-relief program during the Great Depression. Created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, New Deal programs hired unemployed workers on construction and community projects. Its goal was to boost the economy and improve American infrastructure.
On the tour you'll stop at parks, schools, and buildings constructed by programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the National Youth Administration (NYA). Many New Deal-era projects share a similar architectural style, a clue to the programs and people who built them.
- Visit the sites in any order you choose.
- Use the tour brochure to plan your route.
- The full tour takes approximately two hours.
If you are local to Hamilton County, look for a traveling exhibit in the community! You can also view the exhibit below.
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How to listen
Click on each track to download it as an MP3. To listen on your computer, open the MP3 in your media player (Windows Media Player or QuickTime Player). You can also download the MP3s and add them to your library on a media application like iTunes.
A transcript of the tour is also available.
Before you go
Several of the tour stops are historic buildings on school properties. Please be aware of school rules and property lines before exploring, especially during school hours. To visit the Hico School Auditorium, please first check in at the district office located at 901 Cedar Street.
Resources for educators
TxDOT created three TEKS-aligned educational activities about Hamilton County and the New Deal. Incorporate one, two, or all three activities into your lesson plans.