During the end of the 20s/beginning of 30s Washington state really started feeling the effects of the depression. The well-known "hoovervilles" were popping up in all of Washington's major city's. In 1932 in Olympia Washington there was a march of unemployment ending in argument between rival organizations. Things were still looking bad in 1933 when Washington States unemployment rose above 25 percent. That same year President Roosevelt began the new deal programs and dams started being built.
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| "March of unemployment" Olympia Washington |
Bonneville dam was a major dam built in result of the new deal. Although the Dams location is in Bonneville Oregon (right on the border of Washington and Oregon) the dam did effect Washington greatly. Dam production started in 1934. The Dam created many jobs in relief of the depression. Most of the workers made 50 cents an hour working non-stop eight hour shifts. Dam completion was in 1937. Bonneville Dam still runs today.
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| Bonneville Dam |
