The Pullman "model town" looks much as it did in 1894 at the time of the Great Pullman Strike. Weekdays, have lunch at the Florence Hotel, a wonderful old Victorian at 11111 S. Forrestville. Walk the streets. Look at the huge outdoor mural painting on the Visitors' Building. More murals are at the railroad underpass one street south on Cottage Grove Ave. The Florence serves a sumptuous brunch on Sundays.

Directions

Take I-94 southbound to 111th St. exit. The Florence is 1/2 mile west at Forrestville Ave.; or by Metra train at Randolph and Michigan, lower level. Buy a round-trip ticket to 111th St. At street level walk east one block to the Florence Hotel.

Additional Articles on the Pullman Strike:

The Parable of Pullman
About George Pullman, Pullman Town (on the outskirts of Chicago), the American Railway Union and Gene Debs, and how things went awry in 1894.

Gene Debs and the American Railway Union
The rapid rise and fall of industrial-style unionism in the railway industry.

Address to 1894 Convention of American Railway Union
The short but emotion-packed speech of young Jennie Curtiss, leader of the women's local unit of the striking Pullman Shops workers in 1894.

For an historical guide book, buy Touring Pullman by William Adelman at the Florence, or by mail from Illinois Labor History Society. Phone: 312-663-4107. $3.95 plus $1.00 postage.