In 1941, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project was started in Ridgeway under the direction of C. C. Smith to provide recreational activities for all area residents. The project hired two people to supervise the activities. Mrs. Nora Leonard had been part of a similar project in Bethany and was hired to supervise the activities for women and girls. They expected to hire a man to supervise the men’s and boys’ activities, but either didn’t hire someone or just wasn’t mentioned. The project provided new croquet and shuffleboard courts and lighting for night activities.
Mrs. Leonard, who with her husband had operated the Leonard Players vaudeville company, organized many activities for the community through this project. In addition to croquet and shuffleboard, there was tennis, horseshoes, aerial darts, archery (players had to bring their own arrows) and board games. The swings and teeter-totters were available for the younger crowd. She hoped to put on a play for the community and wanted to select a cast from the college students who were home for the summer. She also planned entertainment programs for Wednesday evenings when many people were in town to do their weekly trading. The recreational project was open every afternoon and evening and was expected to run year-round by renting space in the business district so it could run through the winter.
Mayor J. W. Leazenby won the first game of horseshoes on the new court. He played against school superintendent Euel Ramsey. (Ridgeway Journal, Jun 12, 1941; Jun 19, 1941; Jul 3, 1941)