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Pullman National Historical Park: A Glimpse into America's First Planned Industrial Town

Discover Pullman National Historical Park: Explore America's first planned industrial town and its stories of labor, innovation, and urban design.

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Explore Pullman National Historical Park, a preserved 19th-century model industrial town on Chicago's South Side. Founded by George Pullman to house workers for his railcar company, it's a landmark of urban planning, labor history, and civil rights, featuring original architecture and the Pullman Visitor Center.

A brief summary to Pullman National Historical Park

Local tips

  • Start your visit at the Administration Clock Tower Building Visitor Center for an overview of Pullman's history and to pick up maps and information.
  • Take a ranger-led tour to learn about the key sites and stories of the Pullman Historic District.
  • Explore the Pullman Exhibit Hall and the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum to delve deeper into specific aspects of Pullman's history.
  • Check the park's calendar for special events, tours, and programs throughout the year.
  • The park is a living, historic neighborhood, so be mindful of residents while exploring the area.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    The Metra Electric Line provides convenient access from downtown Chicago to the 111th Street/Pullman station. From Millennium Station, take the Metra Electric Line to the 111th Street Pullman station. After exiting the station, walk east on 111th Street towards Cottage Grove Avenue. The Pullman National Historical Park Visitor Center is located on the corner of 111th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. A one-way Metra ticket from downtown Chicago costs $2 - $6. Alternatively, the CTA bus route #111 and #115 stops near the Visitor Center. The CTA bus fare is $2.50.

  • Driving

    From downtown Chicago, take I-94 East (Dan Ryan Expressway) south. After 95th Street, stay left and follow the Bishop Ford Expressway toward Indiana. Exit at 111th Street (#66A) and go west on 111th Street. Turn right into the Visitor Center parking lot after the Rocktenn sign. From the south, follow I-94 West and exit at 111th Street (#66A). Go west on 111th Street and turn right into the parking lot. Parking is available in the Visitor Center lot. Parking is free.

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Discover more about Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park, located 13 miles south of downtown Chicago, offers a unique window into American history. This preserved district was the first planned industrial community in the United States, founded in 1880 by George Pullman to house the workers of his Pullman Palace Car Company. Designed by architect Solon S. Beman and landscape architect Nathan Barrett, the 300-acre town provided a comprehensive living environment for employees, complete with housing, shops, and recreational facilities. The park tells the story of urban planning, industrial innovation, and the American labor movement. Visit the Pullman Administration Clock Tower Building, which serves as the visitor center, to learn about the town's history through exhibits and ranger-led tours. Explore the historic Hotel Florence, named after George Pullman's daughter, and the Greenstone Church, remnants of the original town. Pullman's history is also marked by significant labor unrest. The 1894 Pullman Strike, a response to wage cuts and economic hardship, became a pivotal moment in American labor history, eventually leading to the creation of Labor Day. The park also recognizes the legacy of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first African American union, which fought for better wages and working conditions for Pullman's Black employees. Today, Pullman National Historical Park offers visitors a chance to walk the red-brick streets, tour historic buildings, and reflect on the complex legacy of this unique community.

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