Ovcharov Jacob Collection (#8)

Santa Fe R. R. line leaving Cadiz, Calif. 1943. Creator: Jack Delano
Santa Fe R.R. line leaving Cadiz, Calif. This town is a junction point with a branch going to Phoenix, Ariz

Sugar cane country, the Virgin Islands, 1941. Creator: Jack Delano
Sugar cane country, the Virgin Islands

Freight cars in the Chicago and North Western Railroad classification yard(?), Chicago, Ill. 1943. Creator: Jack Delano
Freight cars in the Chicago and Northwestern [i.e. North Western] Railroad classification yard(?), Chicago, Ill. General view of Proviso yard

A Chicago and North Western railroad roundhouse, Chicago, Ill. 1942. Creator: Jack Delano
A Chicago and Northwestern [i.e. North Western] railroad roundhouse, Chicago, Ill

Sugar cane worker in the rich field, vicinity of Guanica, Puerto Rico, 1942. Creator: Jack Delano
Sugar cane worker in the rich field, vicinity of Guanica, Puerto Rico

West-bound passenger train going around a curve on the Atchison... near Gleed, Arizona, 1943. Creator: Jack Delano
West-bound passenger train going around a curve on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad between Winslow and Seligman, Arizona, near Gleed, Arizona

The main shopping street, Christiansted, Saint Croix, Virgin Islands, 1941. Creator: Jack Delano
The main shopping street, Christiansted, Saint Croix, Virgin Islands

Working on the cylinder of a locomotive at the C & NW RR, 40th Street shops, Chicago, Ill. 1942. Creator: Jack Delano
Working on the cylinder of a locomotive at the C & NW RR [i.e. Chicago and North Western railroad], 40th Street shops, Chicago, Ill

Locomotive lubrication chart in the laboratory of the C & NW R s, Chicago, Ill, 1942. Creator: Jack Delano
Locomotive lubrication chart in the laboratory of the Chicago and Northwestern [i.e. North Western] Railroad. The laboratory assistant in foreground is working at a precision balance. Chicago, Ill

Belt Railway, looking toward the west yard of clearing yard, from bridge of hump, Chicago, Ill
Belt Railway, looking toward the west yard of clearing yard, taken from bridge of the hump, Chicago, Ill

Indiana Harbor Belt RR, switchman demonstrating signal with a "fusee"... 1943. Creator: Jack Delano
Indiana Harbor Belt RR, switchman demonstrating signal with a " fusee" - used at twilight and dawn - when visibility is poor. This signal means " stop." Calumet City, Ill

Farms in the Aroostook County, Maine. Oct. 1940 : potatoes, 1940. Creator: Jack Delano
Farms in the Aroostook County, Me. Oct. 1940 : potatoes

Children gathering potatoes on a large farm, vicinity of Caribou, Aroostook County, Maine, 1940. Creator: Jack Delano
Children gathering potatoes on a large farm, vicinity of Caribou, Aroostook County, Me. Schools do not open until the potatoes are harvested

A completely overhauled engine on the transfer table at the Atchison, Topeka... New Mexico. 1943. Creator: Jack Delano
A completely overhauled engine on the transfer table at the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad locomotive shops, Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is now ready to go into service

Daniel Senise throwing a switch while at work in an Indiana Harbor Belt Line railroad yard, 1943. Creator: Jack Delano
Daniel Senise throwing a switch while at work in an Indiana Harbor Belt Line railroad yard

Mojave Desert country, crossed by the Santa Fe R. R. Cadiz, Calif. 1943. Creator: Jack Delano
Mojave Desert country, crossed by the Santa Fe R.R. Cadiz, Calif

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"Ovcharov Jacob: Capturing the Lives of Railroad Workers and Tenement Children in 1940s America" Step back in time to the bustling Proviso yard in Chicago, Illinois, 1943. Ovcharov Jacob, a talented photographer known for his captivating images, takes us on a journey through history. His lens focuses on the tank cars of the C & NW RR (Chicago and North Western railroad), showcasing the industrious spirit that fueled America during World War II. But Jacob's lens doesn't stop there. He transports us to Brockton, Massachusetts in 1940 where we witness children living amidst tenements. Their innocent faces tell stories of resilience and hope despite challenging circumstances. Moving westward, we find ourselves amid the majestic San Bernardino Mountains in Cajon Pass, California. Santa Fe R. R trains rumble through this picturesque landscape as they connect communities across vast distances. Jacob then brings us back to Clinton, Iowa - a town deeply intertwined with railroads. Here we meet Mrs. Elibia Siematter and Mrs. Thelma Cuvage working at the roundhouse; their dedication evident as they sweep and work tirelessly to keep operations running smoothly. Mrs. Viola Sievers catches our attention next - her giant "H" symbolizing pride and unity among workers at Clinton's roundhouse. During lunch breaks at C&NWRR roundhouse cafeteria, women wipers gather together sharing laughter and camaraderie while fueling themselves for another day's hard work. The photographs continue to highlight these remarkable women wipers diligently cleaning one of the giants that powerfully traverse American railways daily – an image symbolic of their contribution towards keeping America moving forward during wartime. In Clinton alone, mothers like Mrs. Marcella Hart and Mrs. Irene Bracker balance raising multiple children with employment at C&NWRR – embodying strength personified by countless women who stepped up when their country needed them most.