Frogtown in Saint Paul in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

10,000 Men Called George

Photographed by McGhiever, June 12, 2019

1. 10,000 Men Called George Marker

Inscription.

"They treated us like we were part of the equipment. They thought they owned us."

–Ernest Ford, porter

Post Civil War, the nation's largest employer of emancipated people was the Pullman Company, owned by George Pullman. To keep white passengers from having to remember individual porter names, all 10,000 Pullman porters were called "George," recalling the master-slave hierarchy. Yet each porter was a man, with his own name, history and dignity.

Erected 2017.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Labor Unions • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 44° 57.354′ N, 93° 8.114′ W. Marker is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is in Frogtown. It is on University Avenue W. near Avon Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 833 University Avenue W, Saint Paul MN 55104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn

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Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roots in Rondo (here, next to this marker); Spreading the Word (here, next to this marker); Service, Not Servitude (here, next to this marker); United We Stand (here, next to this marker); In for the Long Haul (here, next to this marker); Forward to Victory (here, next to this marker); From Service to Solidarity (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Victoria Street Station (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Paul.

Also see . . . A. Philip Randolph and 10,000 Black Men Named George (YouTube, 2:20). (Submitted on February 29, 2024.)

10,000 Men Called George Marker (front rank, left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, June 12, 2019

2. 10,000 Men Called George Marker (front rank, left)

Sculptures by Marjorie Pitz

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 270 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 26, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.