Stadium Terrace Housing Development
Introduction
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Constructed in 1939, West Virginia architect H. Rus Warne designed one of the first public housing facilities known in West Virginia. Featuring twenty-five identical double houses of wood frame construction.
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Backstory and Context
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During the depression, the town of Mount Hope would suffer more than any other town found in the heart of the coal fields. Elenor Roosevelt would tour the region viewing firsthand how the depression was affecting Appalachia. Her travels would lead her appeals when approaching her husband to begin a project which would provide adequate housing for low-income families. Three areas of West Virginia were chosen to build the first income-based housing development. After successful completion of the Huntington, Charleston and Mount Hope developments, as well as some developments in Texas, the project was determined to be a success. This would lead the government to create the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Stadium Terrace Apartments are last standing pilot project apartments in the country.