By 1940, America had finally begun to pull itself out of what was known as the "Great Depression." Headlines in the Pensacola News Journal proclaimed that the “good times” had become a fact for the great port city of Pensacola. Even though the people of Pensacola were certainly earning and spending more, the real recovery for the nation as a whole did not reflect genuine prosperity until 1939. One such reminder that things were getting better for the citizens of Pensacola was the construction of the Federal Post Office building (below) on Palafox Street between Chase and Wright Streets. With its attractive Spanish décor, it became a daily reminder of the material achievements of Roosevelt’s New Deal and his work relief projects. Built at the cost of $450,000 it was dedicated by Postmaster General James A. Farley in January 1940.
Another project sponsored by the federal government in the late 1930’s was the construction of two new housing projects known as Camelia and Azalea Courts. Not only did these projects provide needed housing for low income families, but it also produced construction jobs for the multitudes of unemployed. The "Camelia" project alone employed a total of 340 construction workers and resulted in 120 housing units. They were built on concrete slabs with a private bath per unit, and hot and cold running water. The smallest units were two and a half rooms renting for $6.00 per month with larger apartments with five rooms for $10.00 per month. They were designed for low income families, but for their times they became a palace for the down trodden. "Camelia Courts" was later renamed “Attucks Courts” located on West Cervantes Street between “F” and “I” Streets and was opened to minority families on July 2, 1940. Azalea Courts was renamed “Aragon Courts” and was located on 9th Avenue just south of the present day Civic Center. It was opened in the late 1930’s and was torn down in the early 1990’s to be replaced by a subdivision designed to resemble a turn of the century neighborhood next to the Pensacola Civic Center and St. Michael's Cemetery.
Construction of Aragon Courts 1940
Pensacola News Journal 11-24-1944
US Post Office 1940 at North Palafox and East Chase Street