Pullman is the only Chicago neighborhood that has been designated a National Historic Landmark in its entirety. Besides the unique architecture, you’ll discover the rich history of the area, great restaurants, and other highlights you shouldn’t miss.
Built in 1880 by railroad industrialist George Pullman as one of the country’s first model industrial communities planned to house local industrial workers, this four-square block neighborhood on the south side is small enough to take in over the course of one day. Start with brunch at the restored 1881 Hotel Florence, then take in the historic streets and admire the artfully designed row houses that make Pullman distinctive.
The Hotel Florence is as good a place as any to start your Pullman neighborhood visit. Have brunch in the beautiful Queen Anne-style hotel, just across 111th Street from the former Pullman factory (which was, unfortunately, largely destroyed in a 1998 fire). The hotel was built for visitors to George Pullman’s company town.
To get an idea of the extent of the damage the December 1998 fire did to the former Pullman factory, walk along Cottage Grove about a half block north of 111th Street. The center structure is all that remains of the historic clock tower, which was as defining a landmark to the neighborhood as the Water Tower is to North Michigan Avenue.
Designed by architect Solon Beman, the row houses in Pullman are nothing like their counterparts in industrial English cities. Beman took care to give each home special touches to distinguish it from the others: fish scale wood shingles adorn some of the houses, while others have dormers or are set closer to the sidewalk. Indoor plumbing, revolutionary for its time, was installed in every dwelling. If you’re dying to take a look inside, tours of row house interiors are conducted each year on a weekend in mid-October. Originally built for Pullman company workers, the row houses also mirror the pecking order of the corporate structure. Former executive homes are by far the most graceful, while less-skilled workers’ dwellings were constructed with cheaper materials.
Schools:
| School | Address | Phone | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred D Kohn Schools | 10414 S State St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5489 | Elementary Schools |
| Bennett Elementary School | 10115 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5460 | Elementary Schools |
| Brenan Elementary School | 11411 S Eggleston Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5340 | Elementary Schools |
| Cullen Elementary School | 10650 S Eberhart Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5375 | Elementary Schools |
| Curtis Elementary School | 32 E 115th St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5050 | Elementary Schools |
| Edwards F Dunne School | 10845 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5517 | Elementary Schools |
| Evers Elementary School | 9811 S Lowe Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-2565 | Elementary Schools |
| Fernwood Elementary School | 10041 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-2700 | Elementary Schools |
| Langston Hughes Elem School | 226 W 104th St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5075 | Elementary Schools |
| Mildred Lavizzo Elementary | 138 W 109th St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5300 | Elementary Schools |
| Pullman Elementary School | 11311 S Forrestville Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5395 | Elementary Schools |
| Samuel Gompers | 12302 S State St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5475 | Elementary Schools |
| Shedd Elementary School | 200 E 99th St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5457 | Elementary Schools |
| Theophilus Schmid School | 9755 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-6235 | Elementary Schools |
| W Smith Elementary School | 744 E 103rd St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5690 | Elementary Schools |
| West Pullman Elementary School | 11941 S Parnell Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5500 | Elementary Schools |
| Christian Fenger High School | 11220 S Wallace St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5430 | High Schools |
| Corliss High School | 821 E 103rd St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5115 | High Schools |
| John M Harlan High School | 9652 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5400 | High Schools |
| Bennett Elementary School | 10115 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5460 | Middle Schools |
| Brenan Elementary School | 11411 S Eggleston Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5340 | Middle Schools |
| Cullen Elementary School | 10650 S Eberhart Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5375 | Middle Schools |
| Curtis Elementary School | 32 E 115th St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5050 | Middle Schools |
| Edwards F Dunne School | 10845 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5517 | Middle Schools |
| Evers Elementary School | 9811 S Lowe Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-2565 | Middle Schools |
| Fernwood Elementary School | 10041 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-2700 | Middle Schools |
| Kohn Elementary School | 10414 S State St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5496 | Middle Schools |
| Langston Hughes Elem School | 226 W 104th St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5075 | Middle Schools |
| Mildred Lavizzo Elementary | 138 W 109th St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5300 | Middle Schools |
| Pullman Elementary School | 11311 S Forrestville Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5395 | Middle Schools |
| Samuel Gompers | 12302 S State St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5475 | Middle Schools |
| Theophilus Schmid School | 9755 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-6235 | Middle Schools |
| W Smith Elementary School | 744 E 103rd St, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5690 | Middle Schools |
| West Pullman Elementary School | 11941 S Parnell Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 | (773) 535-5500 | Middle Schools |
City of Chicago Vehicle Stickers
All Chicago residents driving, parking, leasing and/or owning a vehicle for which they are responsible in the City of Chicago are subject to the Chicago Wheel Tax and must purchase a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker. This includes Chicago residents that maintain their registration outside of the City of Chicago, but use the vehicle in the City. We want motorists to avoid costly tickets: You must purchase a Chicago Vehicle Sticker within 30 days of residing in the City or acquiring a new vehicle to avoid late fees and fines.
Click Here for more details.
Residential Parking Permits
Chicago’s Residential Parking Permit program is designed to restrict parking on designated residential streets during specified hours, except for the residents of that street, guests of the residents or those who provide a service to the residents. This program helps to ensure that residents of densely populated areas have reasonable access to parking near their residences. Cars parked in violation of this ordinance are ticketed.
The City of Chicago does not mess around. The city has a dillignet parking patrol staff that will ticket you if you are in a spot where a permit you don’t have is required. All spots that require permits are marked with white street signs. Please look out for them!
For more information, contact the city clerk at 312-744-6861 or email info@chicityclerk.com. We also recommend that you ask your Real Estate Agent, Leasing Agent, or Land Lord about parking permit requirements in your area.