U4ART @ U4STATE.5 Season Tree

Time Check

The "Time Check" Area of Cedar Rapids, Iowa has had several stories circulated over the years explaining how this particular area of Cedar Rapids came to be called "Time Check." The railroad route ran from the train yards on the east bank of the river to the west bank passed through the neighborhood. One of the stories that is believed by many residents is that many of the residents who lived in the neighborhood also worked for the railroad. Because of financial difficulties the railroad often postdated pay checks to prevent workers from cashing their checks until the railroad had enough money for the bank to honor the checks. The railroad workers had to wait until the date (time) written on the checks before they could cash them and be paid. Other variations of this story include the idea that some workers who needed identification to access the railroad yards and to prove that they were entitled to paycheck were given identification tags. These tags were said to have been called a "time check." Another version has local merchants honoring "time checks" or coupons issued by the railroad in lieu of the workers paycheck. The workers currency was time checks. The merchants needed to have confidence that the railroad would honor the time checks and pay them their worth. Today this area is home to a 11,000 square foot building surrounded by a green park area. The recreational center houses several rooms used for crafts, meetings, and other activities, as well as, a gymnasium, mini gym, softball field, game room, and a wading pool. The game room and gym can be rented for special events such as birthday parties.