Chicago Railroads and George Pullman

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)

Chicago connects the Midwest Detroit, Cleveland,

Cincinnati, New Orleans, St. Louis, KC, Omaha, St. Paul

Hauled mainly grain and livestock

Led to development of Chicago Stockyards and Board of Trade

Rail Yards Freight funneled into rail yards (mainly on

outskirts of city.) Bensenville, Blue Island, Corwith Yard (near

Stevenson) (modern)

George Pullman Created Pullman

Palace Car Company – 1867

Desired to become very wealthy

Developed a luxury rail car sleeper

The first Pullman Car was designed to be a luxury railroad car that was a day-coach that turned into a sleeper car at night.

At first railroads where not interested

in this new car as it was higher and wider than other railcars.

The presidential railroad car

In 1867, George Pullman

incorporated the Pullman Palace Car Company.

He expanded his business to include

dining cars, parlor cars, private cars as well as

the sleeping cars.

A luxury Pullman Car

The town of PullmanGeorge Pullman’s ambitions spread also to developing a safe

and clean place for his workers to live.

The problem was that Pullman controlled everything

in the town

1893 Depression

Pullman did not allow the residents to own their homes and hired people to

watch the residents for any inappropriate behavior.

To make matters worse, a depression occurred

in the country in 1893-94.

American Railway Union• The Pullman workers joined this union in the spring of 1894, after

George Pullman ignored their pleas

The ARU supports strikers• ARU refuses to handle Pullman cars

• The strike extended to encompass all of the 24 rail lines outof Chicago

STRIKE ENDS!• Federal troops ended the blockade and trains began moving again

• Debs is arrested• Strike officially ends as of July 12, 1894