Pullman in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Pullman Freight Depot & The Gas Works
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 21, 2026
1. The Pullman Freight Depot & The Gas Works Marker
The freight depot (1880) served the newly laid Pullman Railroad. The Pullman Company built and connected this spur to the Rock Island Railroad in 1880 to haul construction material and to offer discounted fares for nearly 2000 workers. The building contained classrooms until Union School was completed (1883). The depot was demolished in 1960.
The Pullman Company maintained its own gas works that supplied gas, extracted from anthracite coal, for the town of Pullman. A marvel for its time, all factories, public buildings, and dwellings were fully equipped with gas for lighting and the houses with cooking gas, an optional utility for the residents. The building stood until 1957.
Erected 2006 by Pullman Civic Organization, Estate of William A. Kirchner.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 41° 41.548′ N, 87° 36.369′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Pullman. It is at the intersection of South Langley Avenue and East 111th Street, on the right when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in 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: Welcome to Pullman (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Workers' Main Gate (about 700 feet away); From Wood to Steel (about 700 feet away); People-Powered (about 700 feet away); Pullman 1894 Strike Memorial Rose & Herb Garden (about 800 feet away); Machines and Workers (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Welcome to Pullman (about 800 feet away); Lake Vista & Illinois Central Railroad Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 21, 2026
2. The Pullman Freight Depot & The Gas Works Marker in context
Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Last updated on March 31, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
