Pullman in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lake Vista & Illinois Central Railroad Depot

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 21, 2026

1. Lake Vista & Illinois Central Railroad Depot Marker

Inscription.
Both the depot and Lake Vista comprised an impressively landscaped gateway to the town Pullman. Pullman's Place Car Company built this depot (1881) as the stop on the Illinois Central Railroad to serve the town. When the Illinois Central Railroad raised the grade of their tracks in the late 1910s, it was moved and later demolished.

Lake Vista was created (1880) as the cooling pond for the great Corliss engine. The three-acre lake was filled by the company in 1898 when electricity replaced steam as the mode of power for the factories.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 41° 41.549′ N, 87° 36.55′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Pullman. It is on South Forrestville Avenue south of East 111th Street, on the right when traveling north. This marker stands outside of the Hotel Florence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11114 S Forrestville Ave, Chicago IL 60628, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in

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the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Arcade (within shouting distance of this marker); Pullman 1894 Strike Memorial Rose & Herb Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Pullman (within shouting distance of this marker); The Workers' Main Gate (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Town of Pullman (about 300 feet away); Lake Vista (about 300 feet away); Image and Reality (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Welcome to Pullman (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Lake Vista & Illinois Central Railroad Depot Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 21, 2026

2. Lake Vista & Illinois Central Railroad Depot Marker in context

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.