Pullman+Cars

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Pullman Cars 

Pullman cars were designed to revolutionize the way people traveled by railroad. These new cars provided comfort to those who rode with a variety of different and fun opportunities. They had everything from Dinning cars to sleeping cars.

George Pullman manufactured cars in the mid to late 1800s until the early decades of the 20th century. Pullman developed the sleeping car, which allowed passengers to sleep while traveling all across the United States after he spent the night sleeping on his seat on a train. He was so inspired that he designed an improved passenger train car that contained beds for the passengers. They had beds that were folded up, and when you folded them down, they turned into seats. Curtains were added to provide privacy along with bathrooms for men and women. 
 * History of the Company **

In 1862 Pullman officially founded his company with the start of the sleeping car which had carpeting, upholstered chairs, draperies, card tables and libraries. Thus, new ideas were sparked and the innovations never stopped!

** Porters ** Porters were mostly African-American men who worked as luggage carriers and were referred to as “George” by the travelers. During this time period, many jobs were not given to African-Americans in general. Because of George Pullman, the Pullman Company was the larges employer of African-Americans in the U.S at the time. This job offered many chances to earn money, while at the same time giving an opportunity for travel and work experience.

In 1880 Pullman Bought 4000 Acres of Land 14 miles south of Chicago near Lake Calmute. He was sure to have his town on the Illinois central railroad. The town was built adjacent to his factory with libraries, hotels, parks, churches, theaters, housing and shopping areas, all for his employees that lived within the town to be closer to their work. Pullman believed that if he gave his workers this town, they would supply him with a very loyal work force. He was praised for his vision of a better life (which showed in his train cars), however all he was concerned about was making money. By 1892, his town was valued at over $5 Million because of all the new advancements he made, compared to the $800,000 he bought the property for.
 * Pullman Company Town **



​ ** The Pullman Strike ** The Pullman strike is summarized as a conflict between labor unions and railroads that occurred in 1894. Three thousand employees began to strike on May eleventh in the town of Pullman, Illinois.During the panic of 1893, the Pullman Palace Car Company cut wages as demands of their train cars plummeted.On June 26th, a boycott was launched and within four days,125,000 workers on twenty-nine railroads had quit work rather than handle Pullman cars.There was another strike on June 29th which led to the arrival of the military and subsequent deaths of workers. Thirteen strikers were killed and fifty-seven were wounded. 6,000 rail workers did $340,000 worth of property damage. After this event was the Pullman trial which settled the conflict and all strikes and boycotts came to an end.

"We are born in a Pullman house, fed from the Pullman shops, taught in the Pullman schools, catechized in the Pullman Church, and when we die we shall go to the Pullman Hell."- Pullman employees living in the Pullman-owned town.

**George Pullman**

(March 3,1831- October 19,1897) George Mortimer Pullman was an industrialist. He became well known for inventing the sleeping car. George Pullman was born in Brocton,New York where he came up with the many ideas that made his future successful.Pullman manufactured coffins during this time and at age fourteen he dropped out of school. He then moved to Chicago, helped build a hotel, and invented the sleeping car.