During the Great Depression, unemployment in Pennsylvania reached a staggering 37%, pushing 1.4 million people into poverty and joblessness. In Centre County, a quarter of all businesses closed, including four laundries, the only sporting goods store, and six ice cream parlors. From 1935 to 1943, the Works Progress Administration employed many Pennsylvanians to build infrastructure like roads, bridges, buildings, and airports. Workers also served lunches to school children, operated nursery schools, and created artworks to help the state during this difficult economic time.