Pullman

George Pullman built America’s first industrial town south of Chicago on Lake Calumet. He purchased 4000 acres of natural marshlands and woods and built factories to make sleeping cars for the railroads.

He also built a model community for the workers to live in. Brick homes with modern conveniences. The more skills the worker had, the better the home he would have.

Everything worked good for a while, but eventually the workers went on strike because George had to cut their wages without lowering their rents during a severe economic recession America was going through.

The designs and the planning of all aspects of life attracted worldwide attention. It seemed like a real Utopia. After George died, the town was sold off to individual owners and it still stands today. Much restoration is going on and it has been designated a National Monument by the President Barack Obama administration.
Most of the original homes are still occupied, but most the actual factory buildings are in ruins or have been demolished. It is still well worth a visit.