The @chicagosuntimes just published an article highlighting the effort to help preserve one of @pullmannps most important historic spaces: Market Hall.
The original Market Hall was built in 1881 as the center of daily life in Pullman, filled with shops, gathering spaces, and community activity. After that structure was destroyed by fire, the current Market Hall was rebuilt in 1892. Additional fires later gutted much of the building before the Friends of Pullman National Historical Park stepped in during the mid-1970s to help save it.
Today, a major stabilization project has helped secure the historic structure for the future. “Market Hall is worth the time and effort,” said Richard Wilson of the Friends of Pullman National Historical Park.
The work restored historic masonry and limestone, stabilized walls, rebuilt stairs, and reopened portions of the structure that had long been inaccessible, helping preserve another important chapter of America’s industrial and labor story. #Freedom250 Link to story in comments.
With May just around the corner, we present you with three wonderful volunteer opportunities to expand your impact!
Whether you’re a first-timer, or a veteran volunteer, join us Saturday, May 9th for a chance to connect with your community! Sign up is available now on our Luma page.
#volunteeropportunities #voluntbeering #chicagocommunity
The WP&D Board spent last Saturday exploring Pullman National Historical Park and diving into the history, planning, and legacy of one of Chicago’s most iconic company towns.
A huge thank you to our National Park Service ranger, Elijah Olomoniyi, for an engaging tour of the museum and a deep dive into the story of the Pullman Factory. We’re also grateful to Rebecca Conant from Friends of Pullman, for leading us through the south Pullman neighborhood and helping bring the lived experience of Pullman residents to life. And thank you to Daniela Salgado of Friends of Pullman for thoughtfully curating a day that resonated with our planning perspectives.
It was incredibly insightful to explore a neighborhood that was entirely planned, designed, and built in the 1880s—in just five years. As one of the country’s first model industrial communities, Pullman introduced innovations like running water, electricity, and integrated infrastructure at a time when those amenities were virtually unheard of in working-class housing.
One of the biggest takeaways? The core challenges of Pullman’s original design, housing affordability, access to goods and services, and questions of economic equity, are still central to planning and development conversations today.
We wrapped up the afternoon with lunch from D'Masti and a thoughtful conversation about board priorities for the year ahead. It was a meaningful day of learning and reflection with fellow planners passionate about Chicago’s past and future.
A recent beer history tour at @pullmannps was a big success, drawing attendees eager to learn how Pullman’s “dry town” reputation didn’t always match reality.
This @chicagotribune article by Janice Neumann highlighted the event, which explored how residents and workers found ways around George Pullman’s alcohol ban. While saloons were prohibited inside Pullman, beer culture never disappeared. Workers crossed the tracks to nearby Kensington Avenue taverns or found other ways to bring beer into the neighborhood.
The program connected Pullman history with Chicago’s brewing heritage through tastings from @seippbeer Conrad Seipp Brewing Company and talks from local historians. @beerculturecenter
Mike Shymanski summed it up perfectly: “Pullman didn’t object to people drinking but didn’t want to accommodate it.” He also shared how, at the union foundry in North Pullman during hot summers, beer wagons would arrive and workers on lunch break would come out for a drink.
The article also noted how steel railcar production drew immigrant workers whose traditions helped shape the neighborhood, proving once again that Pullman history is full of surprises.
Former Pullman Company employee Al Quiroz shared a story about what he drilled into the walls of Pullman trains to give them a bit of luck—one of the many personal touches behind the craftsmanship of the cars.
Today, he was interviewed by WLS-TV (ABC 7 Chicago) about his years at the Pullman Company and what it means to be one of the last former workers still living in the historic company town, now preserved as Pullman National Historical Park. The segment will air tonight.
Officially incorporated as a city on this day in 1837, Chicago boasts an impressive legacy of architectural innovations and preservation history.
Modern preservation efforts in the city gained momentum in the 1960s and 70s after several significant landmarks were demolished.
Those losses helped spur the founding of @landmarksillinois to protect significant historic and architectural sites statewide. In 2001, @preservationchicago was established to expand preservation efforts within the city.
The National Trust supports this mission, helping to safeguard Chicago’s landmarks and cultural heritage. Next time you’re in the Windy City, consider visiting one of these historic sites!
And if you’re interested in architecture and design, stop by @chiarchitecture , a nonprofit organization and museum dedicated to exploring the significance of design.
@GlessnerHouse@pullmannps
Old Cook County Hospital
@thegaylordbuilding
Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ
Unity Temple
@surgicalmuseumchicago@edithfarnsworthhouse
#SavingPlaces #Chicago
It was a joyous occasion to join Governor JB Pritzker in Pullman to announce Celadon’s public-private partnership to restore the Historic Hotel Florence, Hotel Annex, Factory building, and grounds located within the Pullman National Historical Park and State Historic Site on the south side of Chicago.
The project will continue the collective efforts of Pullman’s community members who have long advocated for the preservation of the Pullman Historic District. This project stands as both a celebration of the past and a commitment to a more connected, creative, and inclusive future on Chicago’s South Side.
While our technical service is the restoration of the Florence Hotel and Annex, the Front Erecting Shops, and the grounds, our intangible duty includes the translation of 150+ years of cultural heritage, labor and civil rights history, and grassroots advocacy.
Visit the link in our bio to:
🫶 Share personal memories, artifacts, or ephemera from Pullman!
💌 Join our Pullman mailing list to follow the project’s progress!
✨ Learn more about the partnership in the Governor’s press release!
Historic Hotel Florence & Annex Design Team 🛎️
Celadon Construction Corporation NFP: Developer
@farrassociates : Architect of Record
Ramsey Historic Consultants: Historic Preservation Consultant
@skenderbuild : General Contractor
@artofcultureinc : Curatorial Programming
@sitedesigngroup : Landscape Architect
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.: Structural Engineer & Envelope/Façade
@terraengineering : Civil Engineer
dbHMS: MEP Engineer & IT
@thresholdacoustics : Acoustics
@schulershook : Theater Planner & Lighting Design
Don’t quit your day dreams: BTS at the Historic Hotel Florence and an excerpt from the rich display of ephemera organized by @shymanskim at @pullmanclubcoffee 🎀
Major Jersey City rail terminals employing Black porters
1. Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal (Communipaw Terminal)
Opened 1889 (earlier terminal from 1864)
This station processed millions of passengers and long-distance travelers, meaning Pullman sleeping cars routinely terminated here. Pullman service meant Black porters were present, because the Pullman Company relied heavily on Black labor nationally.
2. Pavonia Terminal (Erie Railroad terminal, Harsimus Cove)
Opened 1861, closed 1958
Major Erie Railroad passenger hub. Served commuter and long-distance trains plus ferries. Because Erie trains ran sleeper service into national routes, Pullman cars and porters would have worked here as well.
3. Pennsylvania Railroad waterfront complex (Exchange Place / Greenville area)
Evidence here is indirect but strong:
Pennsylvania Railroad was one of the largest users of Pullman sleeping cars. Jersey City was its primary New York-area western terminal before Penn Station opened. A surviving local record notes a porter layover house in Jersey City for Pennsylvania Railroad porters, who were “exclusively Black men” into the mid-20th century
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The Jersey City Black Heritage Trail will ensure that the stories of African American resilience, creativity, and leadership are permanently embedded in the city’s landscape.
#jcblackheritagetrail
#jerseycityblackhistory
#jerseycityhistory
