George Mortimer Pullman (1831-1897) must have been a fascinating character. In many ways, he was very much like the other "robber barons" of the 19th century. He founded a company town within the city of Chicago - and of course he named it Pullman. Some of the architecture in the town is downright wonderful. And of course, George Pullman was central in the infamous 1894 Pullman strike, one of the best-known strikes in the history of the United States.

I don't know what to think of George Pullman. Working conditions and wages and benefits for Pullman porters and factory workers, were considerably better than those of other workers - but Pullman workers had to put up with having their lives controlled by George Pullman.

-Joe-