A autobody shop in a historic building…it appears they might also sell birdhouses here. This is one of the VERY few businesses in the historic district.
…….
Pullman is believed to be the first planned model industrial town. In 1896, it was presented an award for the "Worlds Most Perfect Town." The Pullman neighborhood survives today as a historic neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, and I decided to hop the Metra Electric Line and check it out. It’s a seriously charming place, though unfortunately some major buildings were lost to fire in the ’90s. Most of the original housing is wonderfully preserved…the streets are lined with beautiful old red brick mansions and rowhouses.
Most of the town of Pullman was built between 1880-84, by architect Solon Beman and landscape architect Nathan Barrett. It was designed as a sort of utopian community for workers who built Pullman Palace rail cars. As described by a writer at tallskinny.com: "The center of town was the railroad car business. A clock tower dominated the large industrial complex. The housing was well constructed with many modern conveniences for 1880’s standards such as indoor plumbing, sewage, and a gas works. The parks and streets were pleasantly landscaped. The town would not be complete without public facilities such as stores and office buildings. The Arcade building and Market hall filled this need with spaces rented to private business (not company stores as is commonly assumed). A bank, library, theatre, post office, church, parks and recreational facilities were provide as part of the town."
If you decide to go check out Pullman, there are a couple things you should know before venturing out. First, there are no restaurants, bars or coffee shops in the historic district; in fact, there are almost no businesses there. Also, right now some key attractions are closed for remodeling or ongoing fire damage repair. I wish I could have explored the old factory complex, but there was no way I was going to get in undetected in the middle of the afternoon. The Hotel Florence was likewise fenced off, though I believe there are guided tours now and then that allow visitors to see the interior.
Posted by BalineseCat on 2013-09-07 14:43:50
Tagged: , pullman , historic , district , chicago
