Pullman Car Works

View looking north toward the Pullman Car Works in 1893. From left to right: the North Wing of the Front Erecting Shops, the Clock Tower Administration Building, the South Wing of the Front Erecting Shops, the Water Tower, and the Hotel Florence.
Image Credit: Pullman State Historic Site, PF2007-005-0069

View looking north toward the Pullman Car Works today. From left to right: the North Wing of the Front Erecting Shops, the Clock Tower Administration Building, remnants of the Rear Erecting Shops, the Hotel Florence.

Visit

The Pullman Car Works grounds are open to the public from dawn until dusk. Explore twelve acres of walking paths with interpretive signs and views of historic industrial buildings. The Pullman National Historical Park Visitor Center, operated by the National Park Service, is located in the Clock Tower Administration Building at 11001 S. Cottage Grove Ave. It is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM, with rangers offering daily tours at 1pm.

By train: The Pullman State Historic Site is located steps away from the 111th Street Pullman Metra Electric (ME) stop.

By bus: Northbound and southbound CTA bus lines #4 and #115 stop at Pullman State Historic Site at Cottage Grove Avenue & 111th Street. Eastbound and westbound CTA bus line 111A stops on 111th Street at Champlain Avenue and at Cottage Grove Avenue.

By car: Vehicles can park in the lot located north of 111th Street between S Cottage Grove Avenue and S Langley Avenue.

Accessibility: The grounds of the Pullman Car Works are accessible by ramps and paved surfaces, as is the Pullman National Historical Park Visitor Center.

Map of Pullman State Historic Site

About

The Pullman State Historic Site preserves surviving portions of a massive industrial complex developed by George M. Pullman to build passenger and freight railroad cars. From 1881 to 1900, the Car Works extended one and a half miles, from 104th Street to 115th Street. Today, the Pullman State Historic Site encompasses twelve acres of the Car Works grounds, the restored Clock Tower Administration Building (owned by the National Park Service), and two structures historically used for the construction of railroad cars: the North Wing of the Front Erecting Shops and the last remaining section of the Rear Erecting Shops.

The utilitarian and aesthetic architecture of the brick and limestone buildings reflected Pullman’s belief that the environment helped shape workers’ character. Pullman also built a company-owned town for Car Works employees, complete with residences, a nondenominational church, an arcade with shops and other attractions, and the Hotel Florence. Visit the Pullman State Historic Site to learn more about the people who lived in the town of Pullman and worked at the Pullman Car Works.

Pullman Company Workers, ca. 1920s.
Image Credit: Pullman State Historic Site, PF2015-003-0001

Upcoming Events

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/pullman-state-historic-site-idnr-120990179952

Permits

Programs and special events that use State Historic Site grounds, all tours of more than 20 people, commercial and student filming and photography, and all fee-charging activities require advance permit application to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.