Over 1100 Federal Post offices were built throughout the country located in virtually every community as part of Works Progress Administration, virtually three times as many as were built in previous eras. The overriding goal was twofold. There was a need to employ as many artisans as possible during the process who had a range of occupations in as geographically diverse areas as possible to jumpstart the economy. There was also an equally important goal of making the national government's presence felt at the local level and to imbue federal buildings with the highest aspirations. Artists were always commissioned to create artworks to adorn the post offices. They would be commissioned to create murals and reliefs in a competitive process that was the precursor of today's percent-for-art programs. They would submit portfolios for each project to a panel consisting of representatives from each constituency. When they were selected, they would have to create work that tied together the local setting with the building. In Inglewood, there are two commissioned works: Lion, Buffalo, Ram + Bear reliefs on the outside facade and The Centinela Springs carved wood mural inside. There is also another sculpture located in front of the Post office which commemorates a dog, Penelope.
