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Chicago Railroads and George Pullman. Chicago History. 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).
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Chicago Railroads and George Pullman Chicago History
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.
The town of Pullman George 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 out of Chicago
STRIKE ENDS! • Federal troops ended the blockade and trains began moving again • Debs is arrested • Strike officially ends as of July 12, 1894