Chicago - City of Broad Shoulders


This course is about Chicago, We will cover the history of the city and region, the politics, corruption, arts, plans, neighborhoods, humor, achievements and the future of the City.

Pullman


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"Mr. Pullman does not believe that a great manufacturing concern can meet with the highest economic and moral success where the profit is unduly large to capital, with no corresponding benefit to labor. The mutual benefit which comes from well adjusted forces is to his mind what brings the best success." -1883, Mrs. Duane Doty, The Town of Pullman



A Brief History of The Town of Pullman

George M. Pullman jpg
George M. Pullman


- Courtesy of the HPF (author unknown)
George M. Pullman, founder of the Pullman Palace Car Company in 1867, created the town of Pullman, the first planned model industrial town. In early 1880, George Pullman purchased nearly 4,000 acres just west of Lake Calumet and surrounding the Illinois Central Railroad, to build his model town in 1880.

Most of the town of Pullman was built between 1880-84, by architect Solon Beman and landscape architect Nathan Barrett. The center of town was the railroad car business. A clock tower dominated the large industrial complex. The housing was well constructed with many "modern" conveniences for 1880's standards such as indoor plumbing, sewage, and a gas works. The parks and streets were pleasantly landscaped. The town would not be complete without public facilities such as stores and office buildings. The Arcade building and Market hall filled this need with spaces rented to private business (not company stores as is commonly assumed). A bank, library, theatre, post office, church, parks and recreational facilities were provide as part of the town. Police protection was provided by nearby Kensington.

In 1896, Pullman was presented an award for the "Worlds Most Perfect Town". The town prospered for fourteen years until the depression of 1893-94 about the time of the worlds fair. To keep his business open, Pullman reduced wages and hours, which resulted in the famous Pullman Strike of 1894. Pullman died in 1897. In a1898 an Illinois Supreme Court ruling required the company to sell its non-industrial property. The housing was all sold by 1907 and has been privately owned every since. The City of Chicago annexed the town of Pullman along with Hyde Park Township in 1889. When the non-industrial property was sold, the rest of the parks, streets and the school system was taken over by the City of Chicago allowing Pullman to become just another neighborhood.

In 1960, the town was threatened with total demolition by developers for an industrial park. With the support of the residents, the Pullman Civic Organization was formed and defeated this plan. Through the effort of numerous Pullman residents, Pullman became a State Landmark in 1969, a National Landmark District in 1971, and a City of Chicago Landmark in 1972. Today hundreds of Pullman houses continue to undergo privately funded interior and exterior renovation and restoration.


 



  1. PullmanChicago - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman,_Chicago

    Pullman, one of Chicago's 77 defined community areas, is a neighborhood located on the city's South Side. Twelve miles from the Chicago Loop, Pullman is ...

  2. Historic Pullman Foundation - Pullman Historic District, Chicago ...

    www.pullmanil.org/

    Organization focuses on preservation and restoration activities within the community. Features events and program calendars, location map, and foundation...
  3. Images for pullman chicago

     - Report images

  4. Boosters want to turn Pullman into national park - Chicago Tribune

    articles.chicagotribune.com › ... › National Park Service

    Mar 10, 2013 – A group of Chicago residents and preservationists are working to win federal approval to turn the entire Pullman neighborhood onChicago's ...

  5. Pullman -- Chicago Crime -- ChicagoTribune.com

    crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/community/pullman

    In context. Pullman is highlighted on this map of Chicago's community areas. Compare crime in all Chicago's community areas » · Pullman on Wikipedia » ...

  6. Pullman Area of Chicago Is Poised to Undergo Revitalization ...

    www.nytimes.com/.../pullman-area-of-chicago-is-poised-to-undergo-revi...

    Mar 20, 2012 – A neighborhood originally built for the employees of a 19th-century railroad mogul is undergoing extensive revitalization.

  7. History Files - The Pullman Era - Chicago History Museum

    www.chicagohs.org/history/pullman.html

    Aerial view of Pullman, IL, George Pullman's company town, featuring the Arcade building and Greenstone Church. (CHS G1988.0426 Box 2). In Chicago, the ...

  8. Historic Pullman - Chicago, Illinois

    tallskinny.com/pullman/

    The site is dedicated to The Historic Pullman Landmark District located in Chicago, Illinois. Includes Brief History of the Town of Pullman, The Worlds Most ...

  9. Pullman Real Estate & Pullman Homes For Sale — Trulia.com

    www.trulia.com/IL/Chicago,2945,Pullman/

    Results 1 - 15 of 137 – Find Homes For Sale in PullmanChicago. Search Pullman,Chicago, Illinois real estate, recently sold properties, foreclosures, new homes, ...

  10. Pullman Real Estate & Pullman Chicago Homes for Sale - Zillow

    www.zillow.com/pullman-chicago-il/

    Search Pullman real estate listings for homes for sale and check out Pullman,Chicago market info on Zillow. - Page 1.

  11. Pullman Historic District - Chicago - Reviews of ... - TripAdvisor

    www.tripadvisor.com › ... › Chicago › Things to Do in Chicago

     Rating: 4 - 10 reviews
    Pullman Historic District, Chicago: See 10 reviews, articles, and 10 photos ofPullman Historic District, ranked No.137 on TripAdvisor among 332 attractions in ...