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Pullman: The Man, the Company, the Historical Park
George Pullman's legacy lies in the town that bears his name. As one of the first thoroughly planned model industrial communities, it was designed to give the comforts of a permanent home to the employees who built America's most elegant form of overnight railroad travel. But the town was more than just a residential wing of sleeper car manufacturing; its 1894 railroad strike led to the national Labor Day holiday. In the early twentieth century, the Pullman Company became the country's largest employer of African Americans, who then formed the nation's first successful Black labor union. Author Kenneth Schoon revisits Pullman's monumental history and the lessons it continues to provide.
- GenresAmerican History
192 pages, Paperback
Published August 16, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 13, 2023
Though this is a well written book with excellent research, you almost need a special reason to read it. It’s great for those with an interest in Chicago, a family connection to the town and factories in Pullman and history of railroads in the United States.
For me it was a family connection. Two sets of my grandparents had a history of immigration from European countries to Pullman, Illinois through advertising Pullman did in those countries in the late 19th century. Some history of Pullman I was already aware of but this definitely filled in many details. George Pullman and his brother were mid-nineteenth century entrepreneurs who saw opportunity in building luxury sleeper rail cars just as the need for such a thing came along. George, the brains and developer became wildly successful and had the idea to build a model town to help recruit employees and keep them happy. That history is told in this book from Pullman’s early years in business through strikes, decline of the passenger rail system and the current use of the still existing houses and revitalized neighborhood. Pullman is approximately 15 miles south of Chicago.
I’ve got to thank the author for a lot of information and insights into my family history. On Zillow I can still see the house my great-grandparents lived in. The other interesting thing I learned was that the company switched to all steel exterior cars in 1910. Most of the skilled carpenters were let go at that time. That coincides neatly with the date my grandparents left Chicago in 1911 to move west to be among the last of the cheap land homesteaders. My grandfather was a carpenter.
I’ve skipped a lot here, but the book has great information on many aspects of railroad history and the chapters dealing with Pullman porters were very interesting. Pullman was at one time by far the largest employer of black men. The job was hard and in the company the pay was low. It did prove to be a step into the middle class and Pullman porters were highly regarded in their communities. It even was one step into the Civil Rights movement.
Another very interesting thing covered in the book is the very large model city that was created which was unlike anything in the United States. It involved vast city planning, model houses and services unknown in much of early Chicago.
For me it was a family connection. Two sets of my grandparents had a history of immigration from European countries to Pullman, Illinois through advertising Pullman did in those countries in the late 19th century. Some history of Pullman I was already aware of but this definitely filled in many details. George Pullman and his brother were mid-nineteenth century entrepreneurs who saw opportunity in building luxury sleeper rail cars just as the need for such a thing came along. George, the brains and developer became wildly successful and had the idea to build a model town to help recruit employees and keep them happy. That history is told in this book from Pullman’s early years in business through strikes, decline of the passenger rail system and the current use of the still existing houses and revitalized neighborhood. Pullman is approximately 15 miles south of Chicago.
I’ve got to thank the author for a lot of information and insights into my family history. On Zillow I can still see the house my great-grandparents lived in. The other interesting thing I learned was that the company switched to all steel exterior cars in 1910. Most of the skilled carpenters were let go at that time. That coincides neatly with the date my grandparents left Chicago in 1911 to move west to be among the last of the cheap land homesteaders. My grandfather was a carpenter.
I’ve skipped a lot here, but the book has great information on many aspects of railroad history and the chapters dealing with Pullman porters were very interesting. Pullman was at one time by far the largest employer of black men. The job was hard and in the company the pay was low. It did prove to be a step into the middle class and Pullman porters were highly regarded in their communities. It even was one step into the Civil Rights movement.
Another very interesting thing covered in the book is the very large model city that was created which was unlike anything in the United States. It involved vast city planning, model houses and services unknown in much of early Chicago.
December 16, 2022
Thumbs up!
Being a railroad nut, this was a very informative read. History of the railroads and locomotives has been my primary reading and didn't pay much attention to rolling stock. Being from Chicago, made this one even more interesting. Enjoyed reading and would recommend to any rail fan or anyone interested in significant history.
Being a railroad nut, this was a very informative read. History of the railroads and locomotives has been my primary reading and didn't pay much attention to rolling stock. Being from Chicago, made this one even more interesting. Enjoyed reading and would recommend to any rail fan or anyone interested in significant history.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews