Community Chat

[Estellee]

Such great old photos @They CallMe MRWILKES she looks good for 95 years old.

[Desertdi]

The iron workers  on the high- rise beams are called "skywalkers"

[catter70]

What brave guys they were. I have issues with a step ladder. Thanks for posting the photos.

[SoCal Bred]

My goodness, such brave workers and body balance on those high beams without harnesses to protect them and a job well done!

[shoekitty]

it is amazing how this was competed in that day and age, in so short a period. Yes, the design is amazing..the marble, stone and gorgeous stature a sight to behold.  What I think about most when I look at that building is the brave men who built it. How did they ever have the nerve, the guts, to get out on narrow platforms I'll never know!!!  They literally built it with their hands!!  No OSHA, no union to complain, long hours, no appropriate clothing, or decent work boots. In hot weather and cold.  Geesh,I know the grunt workers couldnt have been paid a huge salary. It took grit and guts to build those buildings. I have been in the Empire building, it is so gorgeous. Omg, you walk in lobby, and the marble, stone granite. Gleam and sparkled like the day it was opened!  What a treasure. You can pass by it on the street and never see the the enormity of it. Yes, you need to see it inside, but to view it from a far really takes your breath away!

[JudyL]

Even seeing the pics of the men up so high made me dizzy and a little woozy.  LOL  Brave men, they were.

[Bookplate]

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@Desertdi wrote:

The iron workers  on the high- rise beams are called "skywalkers"

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@Desertdi  Many of the amazing skywalkers who worked on the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Twin Towers, and the Brooklyn  and George Washington Bridges, to name just a few, were members of the Mohawk Nation.

[drizzellla]

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@geezerette wrote:

I was interested in finding out how many deaths occurred during its building.  This is what I found:

Official records indicate that five workers died during the construction of the Empire State Building (1930–1931). The fatalities involved falls, a truck accident, a hoist accident, and a blast. While some reports have suggested higher numbers, five is the commonly cited figure for worker fatalities during the 13-month project.

Key Details Regarding Construction Safety:

• Total Deaths: Five workers.
• Causes of Fatalities: According to, these included falling from a scaffold, being hit by a truck, falling down an elevator shaft, being hit by a hoist, and a blast incident.
• Construction Duration: The building was completed in 13 months, or 410 days, using a team of roughly 3,400 workers.
• Context: While fatalities occurred, the rate was considered relatively low for a project of its size at the time. 

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Isn't that interesting Total Deaths: Five Workers

A company I worked for, built a new building in 1972. It was 38 floors. And 3 construction workers were killed building my company's building.

Sad the numbers still are too many.

[Oznell]

An Art Deco masterpiece!  Thanks for posting, @They CallMe MRWILKES .

[timeless]

I knew you are a "geek", Mr. Wilkes.

This post confirms it.

Please share more of your observations.

Specifically, I'm asking what you think of our country's (?)

architecture that is... "Roman-esk".