Chicago Pullman National Park and Monument Rise To Fall of Utopia

What is your vision of a contemporary utopia community?

Pullman, IL an industrial town built in 1884 was designated the "World's Most Perfect Town" in

1896 by the Prague International Hygienic and Pharmaceutical Exposition of 1896. George M.

Pullman, President of the Pullman Palace Car Company developed a model community for the

working class that was superior to environments elsewhere. George Pullman hoped to avoid strikes,

attract skilled workers from England and Scotland with greater productivity through a better

health environment than slums with unsanitary conditions and social ills.  The town of Pullman, IL

was completed with over 1,000 homes that workers rented which included utilities and maintenance.

Pullman Red Brick Home

Life for workers in the Utopian town of Pullman, IL was expensive because the workers paid high

rents and utilities. Workers could not own their homes, give public speeches, hold town meetings, or

have open discussions. Independent newspapers were forbidden as well as saloons and brothels.

A Chicago Tribune editorial stated that, "none of the...advantages of the model city will compensate

for the restrictions on the freedom of the workmen..." These conditions lead to social unrest of the

Pullman Strike of 1894, boycott and riots that killed 30 people. Although the strike was

unsuccessful, it lead to Congress designating Labor Day as a federal holiday.

The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

George Pullman founded the Pullman Palace Car Company in 1867 after a poor night's sleep sitting

in a train car Pullman dreamed of the sleeping car. George M. Pullman went to the South to hire

former house slaves to work as porters and waiters on the Pullman Palace Train Car. In 1937, the

Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (first African-American Union legally recognized by the

American Federation of Labor) was recognized by the Pullman company.  A. Philip Randolph

leader of The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters organized the March on Washington in 1963.

Visit the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum at 10406 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60628

which interprets African-American contributions to the American Labor Movement.


Today the former town of Pullman is a neighborhood in Chicago, IL which has become the historical

Pullman National Landmark District that includes the Pullman Factory Complex, Pullman Visitor Center 

and the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum.





On February 19th 2015, President Obama signed legislation giving the Pullman National Monument

the new designation. "The great people at the Pullman National Monument, and the many people

whose passion and dedication to achieve this status for Pullman, deserve it," said Jim Garrett,

President of the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau. " I encourage everyone to

discover the faces and places that tell the experience of Pullman and enjoy Illinois' newest

national treasure."

"It's also understanding that places that look ordinary are nothing but extraordinary." -President Obama #Pullman pic.twitter.com/pYMZ0BALuo
— CEQ (@WhiteHouseCEQ) February 19, 2015

Pullman National Park and Monument Collectibles

Tip: During your visit to Pullman National Park and Monument acquire the following historical

collectibles

1) Pullman 402 Pin

2) Junior Park Ranger Pullman National Monument Pin

3) National Park Service Pullman Brochure

4) National Park Service Pullman Passport Stamp



Schedule at tour to the Pullman National Monument

11001 South Cottage Grove Avenue

Chicago, IL 60628

www.nps.gov/pull

PULL_visitorinfo@nps.gov