Southwest Federal Center in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Railroad Employment
1941
— granite —
June 27, 2023
1. Railroad Employment Marker
Robert Kittredge
(b. 1910, Cairo, Egypt - d. 2003, Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona)
Railroad Employment captures the physically demanding and relentless pace of work in a 1930s steam engine cab. In the foreground, the fireman stokes the furnace, creating steam for speed, while the engineer positioned above, opens up the throttle. Both figures are focused forward and bent in exertion, demonstrating the great mental and physical effort required to bring the train in on time. It was for such individuals that the Railroad Retirement Act was passed in 1935, providing unemployment insurance and pensions for America's railway workers.
In 1940, the U.S. Department of the Treasury Section of Fine Arts commissioned Robert Kittredge to create a pair of bas reliefs for the C Street entrances for the new headquarters of the Railroad Retirement Baord. The panels, Railroad Employment and Railroad Retirement, depict the labor of railway workers and the security and benefits assured to them, their spouses, and survivors. The Railroad Retirement Baord was created in 1935 and was meant to occupy this building, but it never did so due to the demands of World War II. Nevertheless, the Board remains active and serves hundreds and thousands of beneficiaries each year from its headquarters
this page online
Erected by Fine Arts Collection, U.S. General Services Administration.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 38° 53.143′ N, 77° 1.007′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Southwest Federal Center. Marker is on C Street Southwest just east of 4th Street Southwest when traveling east. The marker can be found on the outside of the Mary E Switzer Federal Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 330 C Street Southwest, Washington DC 20416, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Railroad Retirement (within shouting distance of this marker); Family Group (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Unemployment Compensation (about 400 feet away); The Benefits of Social Security (about 600 feet away); The Growth of Social Security (about 600 feet away); Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial (about 700 feet away); Milford School Bell (about 700 feet away); Nora Naranjo-Morse (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.
Additional keywords.
2. Railroad Employment
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2023. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2023.
