George Pullman – Savior or Sultan? Chicago History

Chicago as a Railroad Hub Largest railroad hub in the WORLD More lines emanate from Chicago than any other city. Chicago and Galena Line (1848) Intended to go to Galena lead mines Actually built to Oak Ridge (Oak Park)

George Pullman First moved to Chicago in 1859 to oversee the ‘raising’ of buildings Uses profits to create Pullman Palace Car Company – 1867 Desired to become very wealthy Developed first luxury rail car sleeper

Finest materials were used in the construction of the luxury cars. The porter would pull the bed down for the passengers to get a good night’s sleep in a comfortable sleeping quarters.

The presidential railroad car For advertising, Pullman offered to transport President Lincoln’s body from Washington D.C. to Illinois However when in 1865, a Pullman car was attached to the train carrying the body of assassinated President Lincoln, the car became very popular. The presidential railroad car

He expanded his business to include dining cars, parlor cars, private cars as well as the sleeping cars.

A luxury Pullman Car The cars included many luxuries such as gourmet meals, leather seating, chandeliers, and heating and air conditioning.

The town of Pullman In the late 1800s, Pullman decided to develop a community for his workers. All employees were required to live in the town. The town of Pullman was designed to be very efficient and friendly to its residents. The 12,000 residents had a post office, library and hotel.

He controlled which stores would be established, what religion would be practiced in the one church and did not allow alcohol to be served to the residents. Pullman said that the workers chose to live in the town, so he said his control of the town was not an attempt to control their lives. Pullman controls prices of all goods sold in community, rents, and even some of the laws. Liquor was banned from the community. A “capitalist utopia”

1893 Depression In 1893, the country went into a deep economic depression. In an effort to save profit, Pullman cut wages, but left rents constant. The workers went on strike. Pullman decreased wages and cut productivity in the factory, but kept rent, utility and store prices at the same rate. The workers tried to talk to Pullman, but he refused to do anything which would hurt his profits.

American Railway Union The Pullman workers joined the ARU in the spring of 1894, after George Pullman ignored their pleas Eugene V Debs was elected president of the American railway union in 1893. The workers joined the union in protest of the lowered wages but not lowered rent. American Railway Union

The ARU supports strikers Nationwide, the ARU refuses to handle Pullman cars The strike extended to encompass all of the 24 rail lines out of Chicago The ARU attempted arbitration with the Pullman company, but this failed. By June 26th the ARU supported the strike and refused to handle any Pullman cars. Car inspectors, switchmen, and engineers would not do any of their jobs connected to the Pullman cars. Soon two-thirds of the country was affected by the railway strike.

Federal troops ended the blockade and trains began moving again Debs is arrested Strike officially ends as of July 12, 1894 14,000 police, militia, troops and federal marshals were involved and able to break up the strike. Eugene Debs and other strike leaders were arrested and jailed for conspiracy and contempt. STRIKE ENDS!

After George Pullman died in 1897, a federal judge forced the company to sell the town. Pullman’s Death

The town was annexed by the city of Chicago, along with other south side towns, such as Hyde Park. Annexation to Chicago

Historic Neighborhood Today, the neighborhood is a historic landmark, with a strong community bond. The factory, was just declared a national monument Historic Neighborhood