A cartoon published in the New York Evening Post shortly before the Empire State Building’s opening depicted a woman and a young boy looking up at the skyscraper with the caption, “Tony, your old man’s buildin’ that.” This image, while potentially intended as a lighthearted exaggeration, highlighted a broader truth: the nation’s achievements are built upon the contributions of everyday people.
Recognizing the Builders
John Jakob Raskob, the Empire State Building’s primary financier, described the structure as “a land which reached for the sky with its feet on the ground.” Though the building is now 56 years removed from its time as the world’s tallest, it continues to represent American pride and accomplishment.
The individuals who constructed the Empire State Building were not simply “anonymous workers,” but Americans with names and personal histories. Men like Owen Scanlon, Samuel Laginsky, James Irons, Adam Bigelow, and Victor Gosselin, along with their families, saw the building as a means to achieve upward mobility and enter the middle class.
On the 95th anniversary of the building’s construction, there is a renewed focus on recognizing these workers by name, acknowledging their integral role in its creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the cartoon in the New York Evening Post depict?
The cartoon showed a woman and a small boy looking at the Empire State Building, with the caption “Tony, your old man’s buildin’ that.”
How did John Jakob Raskob view the Empire State Building?
John Jakob Raskob, the building’s financier, described it as “a land which reached for the sky with its feet on the ground.”
Who were some of the workers involved in building the Empire State Building?
Owen Scanlon, Samuel Laginsky, James Irons, Adam Bigelow, and Victor Gosselin were among the workers who built the Empire State Building.
As we continue to reflect on the legacy of iconic structures like the Empire State Building, what other stories of the everyday people behind monumental achievements deserve to be told?
