George Mortimer Pullman (March 3, 1831 – October 19, 1897) was an American inventor and industrialist. He is remembered as the inventor of the Pullman sleeping car, and for violently suppressing striking workers in the company town he created, Pullman, Chicago. (From user talk:MyRedDice), Yes, all my images are in public domain. ... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (63rd in leap years). ... Leopold I 1831 (MDCCCXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The streamlined Pullman observation-lounge car Coconino, coupled to a heavyweight sleeper painted in two-tone Pullman grey, brings up the rear of the Santa Fe Railways Chief at La Junta, Colorado on February 27, 1938. ... The interior of a Pullman car on the Chicago and Alton Railroad circa 1900. ... Pullman is a neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, twelve miles from the Loop by Lake Calumet. ...

Background

Born in Brocton, New York, his family moved to Albion, New York. It was here that the young George gained many of his ideas that made him successful. Pullman also manufactured coffins during this time. Pullman dropped out of school at age 23, and eventually became one of Chicago's most influential and controversial figures. He arrived in Chicago in as that city prepared to build the nation's first comprehensive system. Brocton is a village located in Chautauqua County, New York. ... Albion is a village located in Orleans County, New York. ... Nickname: Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location in Chicagoland and Illinois Coordinates: Country United States State Illinois County Cook & DuPage Incorporated March 4, 1837 Government  - Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Area  - City  234. ...

Built on a low-lying bog, Chicago streets were frequently filled with mud deep enough to drown a horse. Unable to drain sewage by placing the sewers below grade, Chicago put its sewers on top of the street and covered them, effectively raising the street level 10-12 feet. Pullman then raised the existing buildings and built a new foundation under them, a technique his father used to move homes during the widening of the Erie Canal. In 1857, with a couple of partners, Pullman proved his technique would work by raising an entire block of stores and office buildings. Pullman added to his reputation when he later raised the massive Tremont House, a six-story brick hotel that stood on an acre (4,000 m²) of ground, with the guests still in it. The Erie Canal (currently part of the New York State Canal System) is a canal in New York State, United States, that runs from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... (1873-1937) (1850-1871) Tremont House (1850-1871, pictured right) was a the third hotel bearing this name constructed at the Southeast corner of Lake Street and Dearborn in Chicago, IL.[1] It was a leading hotel in Chicago that served as the 1860 Republican National Convention Headquarters. ...

Development of Pullman sleeper car

Between 1859 and 1863, he spent time as a gold broker near Golden, Colorado where he raised money and met a future business associate, Hanniball Kimball. Year 1859 (MDCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Downtown Golden, Colorado Golden, Colorado lies at the mouth of Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range. ... First Kimball House Second Kimball House Hanniball Ingalls Kimball (May 16, 1832 – April 28, 1895) was an American entrepreneur and important businessman in post-war Atlanta, Georgia. ...

He used his money and success to develop a comfortable railroad sleeping car, the Pullman sleeper, or "palace car." These were designed after the packet boats that traveled the Erie Canal of his youth in Albion. The first one was finished in 1864. By arranging to have the body of President Abraham Lincoln carried from Washington, D.C. to Springfield on a sleeper, he received national attention and the orders began to pour in. The sleeping cars proved successful despite the fact that the sleeper cost more than five times the price of a regular railway car. The interior of a Pullman car on the Chicago and Alton Railroad circa 1900. ... The Erie Canal (currently part of the New York State Canal System) is a canal in New York State, United States, that runs from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... For other uses, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation). ... Nickname: Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: Country United States Federal District District of Columbia Government  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - City Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack... : Home of President Abraham Lincoln United States Illinois Sangamon 60. ...

In 1867 Pullman introduced his first hotel on wheels, the President, a sleeper with an attached kitchen and dining car. The food rivaled the best restaurants of the day and the service was impeccable. A year later in 1868, he launched the Delmonico, the world's first sleeping car devoted to fine cuisine. The Delmonico menu was prepared by chefs from New York's famed Delmonico's Restaurant. Delmonicos restaurant at the corner of 5th Avenue and 44th Street in 1903. ...

Both the President and the Delmonico and subsequent Pullman sleeping cars offered first-rate service which was provided by recently-freed former house slaves who served as porters, waiters, chambermaids, entertainers, and valets all rolled into one person.

Pullman believed that if his sleeper cars were to be successful, he needed to provide a wide variety of services to travelers: collecting tickets, selling berths, dispatching wires, fetching sandwiches, mending torn trousers, converting day coaches into sleepers, etc. Pullman believed that the former house slaves of the plantatation south had the right combination of training and acquiescence to serve the businessmen that would patronize his "Palace Cars." Pullman became the biggest single employer of African Americans in post-Civil War America.

In 1869 Pullman bought out the Detroit Car and Manufacturing Company. He bought the patents and business of his eastern competitor, the Central Transportation Company in 1870. In the spring of 1871 George Pullman, Andrew Carnegie, and others bailed out the financially troubled Union Pacific and were placed onto its board of directors. By 1875 the Pullman firm owned $100,000 worth of patents, had 700 cars in operation, and had several hundred thousand dollars in the bank.

Marriage and children

In 1867 Pullman married Harriett Sanger and built a house in Chicago. They had four children: Florence born in 1868, Harriet in 1869, and twin sons George Jr. and Walter Sanger in 1875. Florence, her father's favorite, was his frequent traveling companion. The Pullman family was socially prominent. Pullman spent time with his Prairie Avenue neighbors, the Armours, the Fields and other wealthy Chicagoans at exclusive clubs and lavish social events. Prairie Avenue is a street on the south side of Chicago which extends from 16th street to the citys southern limits. ...

Thousand Islands

In 1877 Pullman completed a half-million-dollar Chicago mansion, which was eventually expanded to the grandest estate on Prairie Avenue. In 1888 built a family retreat, Castle Rest, on Pullman Island in Alexandria Bay in the Thousand Islands between New York and Ontario. Pullman's mother was fond of the summer resort. Two of her sons attended nearby St. Lawrence University and her family convened seasonally at the Thousand Islands. Pullman built the landmark "Castle Rest" for his mother. His wife preferred another summer home at the seaside resort, Long Branch, New Jersey. The entire family was at "Castle Rest" for mother Pullman's August birthday each year. The architecturally important "Castle Rest" structure was the first of several "castles" of the Thousand Islands. Designed by Solon Spencer Beman, the main building was maintained by the Pulllman-Lowden family until demolished in the mid-twentieth century. Ancillary structures survive on Pullman Island. Sunset over one of the smallest islands. ... Solon Spencer Beman (1853-1914) was born in Brooklyn, New York. ...

George M. Pullman was pivotal in development of the Thousand Islands as a major international resort. Closely acquainted with President U. S. Grant, he entertained a presidential party at Pullman Island in 1872 (an election year). Ensuing media coverage resulted in a boom of the resort the following season, when grand hotels began to appear.

Pullman company town

In 1880 Pullman bought 4000 acres (16 km²) near Lake Calumet some 14 miles south of Chicago on the Illinois Central Railroad for $800,000. He hired Solon Spencer Beman to design his new plant there, and in an effort to solve the issue of labor unrest and poverty, he also built a town adjacent to his factory with its own housing, shopping areas, churches, theaters, parks, hotel and library for his employees. The 1300 original structures were entirely designed by Beman. The centerpiece of the complex was the Administration Building and its man-made lake. The Florence Hotel, named for Pullman's favorite daughter was built nearby. (see Pullman, Chicago). Lake Calumet is the largest body of water within the city of Chicago, Illinois. ... Categories: Rail stubs | Defunct railroad companies of the United States | Defunct companies | Illinois railroads | Iowa railroads | Louisiana railroads | Missouri railroads | South Dakota railroads | Wisconsin railroads ... Solon Spencer Beman (1853-1914) was born in Brooklyn, New York. ... Pullman is a neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, twelve miles from the Loop by Lake Calumet. ...

Pullman believed that the country air and fine facilities without agitators, saloons and city vice districts would result in a happy, loyal workforce. The model planned community became a leading attraction during the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 and caused a national sensation. Pullman was praised by the national press for his benevolence and vision. As pleasant as the community may have been, Pullman expected the town to make money. By 1892 the community, profitable in its own right, was valued at over $5 Million. One-third scale replica of Daniel Chester Frenchs Republic, which stood in the great basin at the exposition, Chicago, 2004 The Worlds Columbian Exposition (also called The Chicago Worlds Fair), a Worlds Fair, was held in Chicago in 1893, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher...

Pullman ruled the town like a feudal baron. He prohibited independent newspapers, public speeches, town meetings or open discussion. His inspectors regularly entered homes to inspect for cleanliness and could terminate leases on ten days notice. The church stood empty since no approved denomination would pay rent and no other congregation was allowed. Private charitable organizations were prohibited. Pullman employees declared "We are born in a Pullman house, fed from the Pullman shops, taught in the Pullman school, catechized in the Pullman Church, and when we die we shall go to the Pullman Hell."

Pullman strike

When business fell off in 1894, Pullman cut jobs, wages and working hours, but not rents or prices in his town. His failure to lower rents, utility charges and products led his workers to launch the Pullman Strike, a violent upheaval which was eventually broken up by federal troops sent in over the objections of Ill. Governor John P. Altgeld, by President Grover Cleveland. 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Pullman Strike began on May 11, 1894. ... Stephen Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837 – June 24, 1908) was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, and the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms (1885–1889 and 1893–1897). ...

A national commission formed to study causes of the 1894 strike found Pullman's paternalism partly to blame and Pullman's company town to be "un-American." In 1898, the Illinois Supreme Court forced the Pullman Company to divest ownership in the town, which was annexed to Chicago.

Loathing for Pullman remained, and when he died in 1897, he was buried in Graceland Cemetery at night in a lead-lined coffin within an elaborately reinforced steel-and-concrete vault. Several tons of cement were poured to prevent his body from being exhumed and desecrated by labor activists. Graceland Cemetery is a large Victorian-era cemetery located in the north side community area of Uptown, in the city of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Established in 1860, its main entrance is at Clark and Irving Park. ...

Trivia

• His daughter Florence was married to Illinois Governor Frank O. Lowden.
• The city of Pullman, Washington was named after George Pullman.
• The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, organized after Pullman's death, was a leading African-American union.
• The Pullman Company merged in 1930 with Standard Steel Car Company to become Pullman-Standard, which built its last car for Amtrak in 1982. After delivery the Pullman-Standard plant stayed in limbo, eventually shut down, and in 1987 had its remaining assets absorbed by Bombardier.
• The Pullman community is a nationally registered historic site.
• Pullman was a very active member of The Commercial Club of Chicago.

Frank Orren Lowden (1861 - 1943) was a U.S. political figure. ... Pullman is a city in Whitman County, Washington, United States. ... The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) was a labor union in the United States organized by the predominantly African-American Pullman Porters. ... The streamlined Pullman observation-lounge car Coconino, coupled to a heavyweight sleeper painted in two-tone Pullman grey, brings up the rear of the Santa Fe Railways Chief at La Junta, Colorado on February 27, 1938. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link is to a full 1930 calendar). ... The Standard Steel Car Company was an automobile manufacturer based in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania during the 1910s and 1920s. ... Acela Express in West Windsor, NJ Amtrak Cascades service with tilting Talgo trainsets in Seattle, Washington Amtrak train in downtown Orlando, Florida For other uses, see Amtrak (disambiguation). ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... logo Bombardier Inc. ... The Commercial Club of Chicago is a civic improvement club resulted from the 1907 merger of two predecessor Chicago clubs[1]: the Merchants Club (organized in 1896) and the Commercial Club (organized in 1877). ...

External links

• PBS: Chicago
• Pullman House in Colorado
• 1910 Steel Pullman Business Car
• Chicago Historical Society