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This one-time farm boy was responsible for the construction of $100 million in Depression -era projects in North Texas. From 1935 to 1942, he was director of the Works Progress Administration -- later named the Work Projects Administration -- which helped many survive the harsh economic times of the 10930's and early 1940s. His projects include the Rockwall County Courthouse, the Highland Park water system and Harry Hines Boulevard as well as many parks, roads and bridges. He was proud no scandal or misuse of public funds touched the WPA under his watch. When the WPA shut down, he was named district director of the Office of Price Administration, established to prevent wartime inflation. He oversaw 32 offices for 40 Texas counties. Reinhardt-Mesquite Road was renamed Gus Thomasson Road in 1938. Mr. Thomasson died in August 1954. Thank you to Joe Simnacher in the Dallas Morning News July 17, 2002 edition for this information. |
