The company town built by railcar magnate George Pullman, now a National Park Service site with the Historic Pullman Factory and Hotel Florence.
Pullman National Historical Park lies in the Pullman neighborhood on Chicago's far South Side in Illinois, with a visitor presence near 11057 S Cottage Grove Avenue. It preserves the company town built in the early 1880s by George Pullman, maker of the Pullman sleeping car, to house the workers of his railcar factory. Architect Solon Beman and landscape architect Nathan Barrett planned the community as an orderly, amenity-filled town, with row houses, a market hall, a church, a hotel and parks beside the factory. It was an experiment in paternalistic industrial planning in the Gilded Age, and it also became the site of the 1894 Pullman Strike, which began after wage cuts and high rents and spread into a national railroad boycott led by Eugene Debs. Federal troops intervened, and Congress created Labor Day as a national holiday the same year. Pullman is also central to African American labor history: Pullman porters, many of them Black men, built a distinct middle-class community, and A. Philip Randolph organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925. The historic factory Clock Tower and Administration Building, the Hotel Florence of 1881, the Greenstone Church and rows of restored workers' houses survive. The district was designated a National Historic Landmark and became a National Monument in 2015 and a National Historical Park in 2018, with the National Park Service and the State of Illinois restoring structures. The interpretive approach is thematic, covering industrial planning, labor and civil rights through exhibits, walking tours and ranger programs. Some interiors, including the Hotel Florence, have been restored and opened on a tour basis, while the Administration Building and factory complex continue to be rehabilitated. Entry to the park is free, while some guided tours carry a modest fee. Visitors typically spend two to three hours walking the streets and joining a tour. Because opening days are limited, hours should be verified at nps.gov/pull before travelling.
| Admission | Free; guided tours approx $10 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Typically Thu-Sun 11:00AM-4:00PM; verify on nps.gov/pull |
| Address | 11057 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 |
Why it matters
Pullman was an early planned industrial town and the site of the 1894 Pullman Strike, which shaped federal labor policy and led to Labor Day becoming a national holiday. It is also tied to the history of Pullman porters and Black labor organizing.
Location
11057 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60628
41.6928, -87.6081 View on map
Highlights
- Historic Pullman Factory Clock Tower and Administration Building
- Hotel Florence, built in 1881 as part of the company town
- Site of the 1894 Pullman Strike, linked to Labor Day
- Legacy of Pullman porters and A. Philip Randolph's Brotherhood
Tips for visiting
- Stop at the visitor center first for maps and tour information.
- Check nps.gov/pull for opening days, which are limited, before travelling.
- Consider a guided walking tour to understand the company-town layout.
- The park is on the far South Side, so plan transport in advance, for example via Metra Electric to 111th Street.
- Allow two to three hours for the district.
When to visit
Spring through autumn for walking tours; opening days are limited, so check ahead.
Accessibility
The visitor areas and many outdoor routes are accessible, but some historic interiors may have limits. Contact the National Park Service for details.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pullman National Historical Park free?
Entry to the park is free, though some guided tours cost a small fee.
How long should a visit take?
Allow two to three hours for the visitor center, a walking tour and the main sites.
How do visitors get there?
The park is on the far South Side. Metra Electric service to 111th Street and driving are common options; check current schedules.