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Pictures of the Pullman Era

Pullman-Chicago, Illinois




Here's some of my Chicagolander pictures. I didn't have a real camera (after it got stolen in England) between 1992 and 1997, so I have very few. Most of these photos come from "quick-shot" disposable cameras.

So what's Pullman? It's a historic district on the South Side, originally built by the rail-car magnate, George Pullman. I don't live there, but few a friends of mine do. One, Mike, is probably the place's biggest advocate, and I have supported his zealous efforts to some extent.

Pullman also contains one of Chicago's gay neighborhoods. It's much smaller and more "home-town" than the large ones on the North Side. For me this-all frames a time, since about 1994 or so, when I first came down here with Chris for one of Mike's tours.




Champlain street

Here's a picture of the skilled-workers part of town. These are two-story homes, what are often called row houses. They are unique not only for their planned appearance, but also because in that period (1880s), the Flat Craze was gripping Chicago (then north of Pullman). "Flats," of course, refers to dwellings entirely on a single floor.




1996 Annual Pullman House Tour

This picture came from the after-party of the Pullman house tour of 1996. From left: Jeff, Don (a UIC bud), Robert, Jeff (2), Randy, Mike, and me standing.



Prairie Path Bike Ride

Preparing for a bike ride: This shot was taken in downtown Villa Park (east) at the old Villa railroad station (now the town's museum), just before we (Séan, Mike, Rob, and Jeff) set out.



Villa Park Roarin' Elgin station

Same as above, except it's Puck, Rob, Jeff, and Mike.



Prairie Path Ride: Winfield

This was the time we made it as far as Winfield before an enormous downpour hit. I almost stayed dry, since I raced to the Geneva-road/Winfield-road shopping plaza. A couple of the slower guys got drenched. We ate at restaurant in the plaza and yakked until the bulk of the summer splash was done with. We had to deal with spot floods and downed trees, et cetera, on the way back. Two of them couldn't take it and called a cab.



Fox Valley Bike Trail Ride: Batavia

Here Rob is unloading our bikes.

This was taken on one of our summer bike rides — we were headed to Elgin that day. And we got there fine and back to Batavia where we autoed it back home (sort of felt that part was unnecessary, but most of the buds were coming from the South Side of Chicago, so they had to.)



Fox Valley Bike Trail: Saint Charles

Séan in "Safety Town," Saint Charles, Illinois. This is the part just before that big hill climb.



Fox Valley Bike Trail: Saint Charles

This is actually were we all met up, as Rob and I had to highball to get from Batavia to St. Charles because we were running late for some reason. Here's Mike, Jeff, Rob, and Randy. Jeff's costume was a source of all kinds of looks.



Fox Valley Bike Trail: Elgin

As usual, we stop at a place to eat. This time some fancy restaurant in downtown Elgin. It's dark already before we head back to Batavia.



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