The Pullman Mansion

In 1984, architect Michael Shymanski makes a discovery in the basement of the old Chicago Historical Society Building that sheds light on one of city's long-lost mansions. The Pullman Mansion was built for George M. Pullman and was located at the corner of 18th Street and Prairie Avenue. It was built by architect Henry S. Jaffray and builder John Dunphy in 1870s and featured furniture and architectural elements from Pottier & Stymus, Herter Brothers and A.H. Davenport & Company. The home was known as the social center in Chicago for over 50 years. The area surrounding the mansion became blighted in the 1920s which led to Pullman family to auction all the contents in 1921 and demolish the home in 1922.

[@ctg6734]

That was such a golden age for architecture in this country. It saddens me to see these structures neglected, abandoned, or demolished. Irreplaceable treasures.

[@butterdeux5619]

Americans destroy and twist OUR HISTORY TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES AND IS SO DISGUSTING. I wish we had a RESPECT for our history as say THE ENGLISH DO. The have houses from the 1500's I wish we had historical housing like they do.

[@JJ-Toreddie]

Golden age for inheriters and robber barrons. Reason why they called themselves FREEmasons

[@MrSalty-eg4zb]

Life must move on

[@heswatchnu]

Then there's the sentiment that it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for. The wealthy leave behind a trail of unkempt "treasures", feeding their current desire without forethought of the future maintenance, etc. Is that the epitome of selfishness? Well, anyway it is what they do...thinking mainly of their current influence and status and what the world/society currently SEES - making no provision for the future of such assets. Their philanthropy is perhaps mainly to distract from all of their poor choices...

[@georgiabigfoot]

I think high property taxes aren’t helping. Also is it just me or should this house have been larger ? Seems cramped in each room

[@camperp195]

It baffles me how a beautiful building like this was demolished 😥

[@laurielaurie8280]

I cannot begin to imagine how they could have dismantled this exquisite home. Such a TOTAL shame. I swear some of the things people do is just insane.

[@StandingInMyPower]

I disagree. The family knew that it would end up destroyed and unappreciated. It was the area that had changed. They understood how exquisite the architecture was and in this manner preserving its legacy.

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

@@StandingInMyPower The architecture of the house was a total mess. Hard to keep up, I made a living rebuilding Victorian mansions and the huge hulk mansions are nearly impossible to save due to heating/water/deterioration of materials that happens over time. Smaller mansions are much, much easier to fix.

[@ralphtom3431]

@@emsnewssupkis6453 poor )3w$

[@StandingInMyPower]

@@emsnewssupkis6453 It must have been very beautiful. You have to be very wealthy to have kept such a large mansion. I love watching these documentaries.

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

@@StandingInMyPower Massive mansions seldom are sellable. Why? Rich people want to have something they created, not someone else's hulking messes.

[@Contessa6363]

My mother was from that era born in Chicago in June of 1924. She had great stories both my parents did. My dad was born in 1921

[@natanapesya2103]

Why wasn't it turned into a museum? Such a shame to lose an architectural gem like that!

[@debbylou5729]

Do you have any idea how many museums are in Chicago?

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

@@debbylou5729 And it was a rather ugly Victorian mansion, very gloomy and overdecorated.

[@h.mandelene3279]

Just like the song says: "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone"

[@lisacav6916]

Or a library, school.....

[@celiajarvis3168]

Dark, eerie, an architectural monstrosity.

[@GJR1003]

Can not imagine selling this amazing home piece by piece, so very sad that it happened.

[@lucasRem-ku6eb]

you never sold a townhouse ?

[@emilydouglass6141]

What an utter shame that this home is gone. Although I am not from Chicago area, I am passionate about old/heritage homes. This documentary about the Pullman Mansion is right up my alley and is everything I love and have passion for. Great attention to detail, historical photos and narration. I love researching and analyzing details of old homes, whether they are demolished or not. Huge fan from Vancouver, Canada!

[@hiyathere599]

They demolished it in 1922. That’s too bad the area has become da hood

[@joepangean6770]

Cannot image the absolute daunting task of cleaning each room. The dust and dirt must have been horrendous requiring a literal army of maids to clean daily.

[@The-Portland-Daily-Blink]

Protecting and saving the good old houses is SO important.

[@joannaterrell4537]

It seems like ''they'' who ever, demolished many buildings that should have been saved for future history. Such a shame.

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

There was a period of time where the mindset of the day was to "wipe away the old to make room for the new", progress, progress, progress! New is not always better. The mindset is still prevalent today.

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

@@paulsmith2279Nothing lasts forever, eventually older homes will have to be demolished. The point is save with photos and documentation of the house most especially if it have unusual, unique or historical significance. We have to be selective on what to save. There will always be room for new or innovative. We can't preserve everything, not everything will have value to our culture in the future (good examples are Bauhaus and Brutal styles of design, not worth saving).

[@billhosko7723]

@@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164 Good grief... Keep a good roof above and most dwellings will survive indefinitely.

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

@@billhosko7723 That's not the issue.

[@edie944]

Such a crime to beauty, craftsmanship, and history. Love old world history and now antique furnishings.

[@jlb197736]

I am absolutely obsessed with this style!! It kills me to see such wondrous architectural masterpieces demolished!

[@G-ra-ha-m]

This style was world wide, inherited after the last big flood. Gradually, they were destroyed, deliberately.

[@ImSuitsMe]

Do an image search on Tartarian architecture.

[@patriciafeehan7732]

Robert Lincoln the son of the late President was the first CEO of Pullman. He lived in Vermont and his farm and home are named Hildene. There you can see a completely intact Pullman Car.

[@andrewmiller3834]

That's an awesome thought. What's more awesome is that you shared that information with me and, well, that's awesome!

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

I didn’t realize that about Robert Lincoln. Truly interesting!

[@daisycocoa2557]

Wow thank you for the information

[@williamhilbert8324]

Nice history lesson, gracias

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

Robert Todd Lincoln known to friends and family as Tad.

[@vaslav030547]

So sad that this home was dismantled, but fortunate that Michael Shymanski made that unique discovery.

[@janettporter6795]

What a terrible shame to destroy something as beautiful as this home. It just breaks my heart when people do something as terrible as this.

[@jimpullman-sr2525]

I agree 100%

[@johnb5461]

Its unfortunate the paradigm changes, the wealth is lost especially on passing of the company owner. The inheriting families many times can't afford to keep up with the increased taxes. many of these that still exsist the annual taxes far exceed what it cost to build them and the maintenance on a structure so complex and aged would be incredibly expensive to maintain. it is sad. It's also sad that much of the skill it takes to build a place like this is lost and even beyond the income of the wealthy to maintain.

[@claraclay4519]

@@johnb5461 Too sad.

[@debratorres5299]

Yes, sad

[@Realitygetreal]

NO this house needed to go, it was a Symbol of "indentured servitude" in America, Pullman made his wealth being a "Robber Barron" he was a really terrible human being and symbols of his wealth needed to be brought down. he was know for his "company town" where he would charge people almost the same amount of rent on there homes bi-weekly as was the rate of pay, and many times he would cut pay but not rent!

[@donaldwilliams2270]

As a high end custom finish carpenter , I could only dream to be on that install , give me the hardest most challenging thing in that house , and I would die knowing I have tested and proved I am worthy of the task at hand !!!

[@kevinhoffman8214]

good carpenters are hard to find now , I have an older home and hired a man with good ref to redo the front porch , I came back 2 days later and he tore off and destroyed the all the trim , 2 levels of crown and cove , even the 1/4 round was odd maybe 2in 1/4 round , all gone - along with all the original beadboard for the ceilling

[@claraclay4519]

@@kevinhoffman8214 Horror!

[@randyoehlert5045]

@@kevinhoffman8214 the guy is still breathing?

[@metrmanmichael]

My brother is also a high end custom finish carpenter and he is one of the many working on the renovated mansion in Burlingame California. He's doing all the crown molding and then some for a few years now.

[@doctormcboy5009]

damn that was real i bet you could pull it off

[@Trish-fv7ck]

I live about 2 miles from the Pullman mansion in the Hegewisch section of Chicago. My brother lives in Pullman so we would go there when their tours were open to the public. It was AMAZING! Like taking a step back in time just like this video portrays it to be down to the furniture and bedding. Kudos to the Pullman Society for protecting its history.

[@bearpawz_]

Wow.. Sounds like a beautiful part of of the city!! I've never been to Chicago or anywhere in the midwest ..unless you count a stop at the airport? 😆 I'd love to see Chicago someday.. Maybe catch a Blackhawks game. 🏒 It was fun seeing the what the Pullman Mansion was like! If I could choose any type of place to live in though, it would be a Craftsman house (which I hear your area also has a lot of!) ~~💕

[@peacerevolution4155]

@@bearpawz_ Go to Union Station and sit at the bar about 2 hours before the game... Around the one hour mark there will be people asking if anyone wants some free tickets... This will give you free tickets 8 out of 10 times.

[@FRLN500]

I'm confused. The Pullman mansion was destroyed in 1922. If you went through it on tours, you must be well over 100 years old!

[@OhJodi69]

@@FRLN500 I believe what Trish is talking about is the Pullman (neighborhood) House Tours, where several of the homes from that era still survive, and many are decorated with the antiques from that era.

[@patriciafeehan7732]

Grateful to have all these photos depicting a lost era.

[@ID-hq6zi]

I wish the photos could have color

[@GuitarUniverse2013]

My brother rented an A-frame on Nevis/Saint Kitts In Caribbean and gave it to my wife and I for our honeymoon. The property was owned by Mr. Pullman’s great grandson, who went by the name “Pulley”. It was a beautiful trip. Fast forward to today in. My wife died long ago. My brother passed away this past Monday. And I myself am in no great shape but man oh man have I lived a life? Yes I have. I suppose at the end one needs to take stock and I want, and need, to continue to help others make their way through the difficulties of life.

[@lindaaphillippi7015]

Always makes me sad to see grand old houses torn down. I admire the wood working of craftsmen in the Pullman house

[@siridanicak3997]

Makes me want to cry that this beautiful home was torn down, especially to just sit vacant and become a parking lot. Imagine how much grander the Prairie district would be now if the Pullman House still existed. Great video. 💗

[@vickyallen501]

We need to preserve some of our history. Other countries do. Sad so many of our beautiful old buildings are gone.

[@dhanks55]

Vicky Allen, believe me, it happens in Europe too. There are abandoned homes and castles there as well.

[@christinechandler5690]

I feel so sad for the Americans that they have lost so much of their heritage. There was so much artistry and quality lost. I hope in the future they appreciate their history.

[@levvisbalhare1780]

Probably not. The liberal left is trying to change or cancel our history.

[@g.b.7086]

Thank you, and I agree.

[@mariantreber8055]

Slobs who only wear tshirts and old ripped jeans do not really appreciate fine artistry. That's what the hippie generation has led us to. We're living a tragedy but we can try to turn it around. I loved the good old days but now we need to make some good new days. I'm old but I hope to live to see everything really turn around! We need to start by dressing decently, again.

[@susi-emily]

@@mariantreber8055 You really shouldn't generalise. I am sitting watching this in England wearing jeans and a t-shirt admiring what is being shown on screen. I wear jeans and tshirts on a daily basis, even to work. I am what you so charmingly refer to as a "slob". I also collect art deco furniture and glass. Snobbery is a very ugly thing.

[@Realitygetreal]

@@mariantreber8055 be careful what you wish for, the New World Order may lead you right back to this, where you work for $1000 a week and your rent is $990 and you get to feed your family on $10, Pullman was an evil human being a "robber barron" whom treated his "employees" as indentured servants, symbols such as his home built on the backs of hard working people who never had anything but dirt to their name deserve to be destroyed!!

[@terrymingle8355]

Such a shame what happened to many of these grand, beautiful homes.

[@TheXaragon]

Sad, The Pullman house should be a Museum now.

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

Hindsight is 20/20 (and I wish I had it - 😆).

[@adreabrooks11]

I'm a descendant of the Pullmans, and I truly appreciate you posting these images. I knew most of the facts presented, but most of the images were entirely new to me. Thank you for your efforts!

[@jimpullman-sr2525]

COOL! This means you and I are related !! :)

[@windwhipped5]

What happened? Why did they have to sell..do u know??

[@timkeepers3325]

He was a awful man... Such a shit history

[@adreabrooks11]

@@timkeepers3325 He really was. Nevertheless: "Those who forget the past..." etc.

[@adreabrooks11]

@@windwhipped5 It gives a good low-down in the documentary, actually. Short version: man and wife died; two daughters already had new digs - so they sold the place off, rather than see it become shoddy tenement housing.

[@beachcaving]

Celebration of Life is never more apparent than in Victorian decoration! ❤🇺🇸

[@lucasRem-ku6eb]

My house is 1880 too, it's not art, it's just woodwork, not any real, popery of classic styles ....

[@edfuller6581]

I grew up in Portsmouth, VA in an old house. Oak floors, radiators, slate roof, beaver board plaster walls, and the forsaken cast iron plumbing. It was solid brick, and was very well built. However, maintenance was a major headache. My father basically ignored the house falling down around him, because he just could not handle either the work or the expense of fixing the house. As things broke, we just had to work around the problem. Yes, old houses are quaint, but there is a lot of work and money in maintaining them. I am happy to live in newer homes, with dependable electricity, water and heat. And air conditioning!

[@Hudson1910]

Too bad we can't have the best of both worlds. I love going back in time, especially this era, and wondering what it was like to live then. We did grow up without air conditioning until I was a senior in high school. Don't think any of our appliances would work in an old home.

[@debbylou5729]

Thank you! People, having zero idea of the costs of restoration and maintenance. They sigh and think it romantic

[@Zincink]

@@debbylou5729 It's a loss to art & architecture for what makes up the building of America. A bunch of ugly apartments is in its place where it stood. It could of been used AS the museum if they didn't knock it down. Cost should never be a thing when you are saving important workmanship.

[@teresawommack5148]

Yes your so right. I have a 1904 home and I can tell you it's not cheap to keep them in tip top shape.mine has 10 acres and a cabin on the property. And that house gets cold, even with all five fire places. I love it tho. They sure don't make em like that any more. The Pullman place is amazing!!

[@imjustacountrygirl1499]

Stunning! I am saddened that everything was dismantled & auctioned but am thankful you created this wonderful documentary of the Pullman mansion, preserving its history and giving us a glimpse of the outstanding architecture and the exquisite pieces inside. Thank you for sharing this fabulous documentary.

[@andrelouis9422]

Great Tribute to The Pullman House!

[@dttra566]

OMG!!! Such a beautiful home so richly decorated and they demolished it??!!! How can they have the heart??!! So jealous of those people who bought a piece of that mansion in the auction. Anything that they bought for just several hundred dollars would be worth millions by today. All those intricate carvings on that staircase railings... OMG!!

[@Hudson1910]

Wouldn't you love to have at least one thing from that place?

[@dttra566]

@@Hudson1910 I want the whole house. LOL I mean if they were going to destroy it, they might as well give it away. I will take it. Anything is better than destroying it.

[@debbylou5729]

It was probably falling down

[@dttra566]

@@debbylou5729 houses built like that would last for centuries, if not millenniums.

[@michellewilliams8188]

Beautiful home. A labor of love by many skilled works men. I love when these grand homes are left to a Preservation Society. Even if they are in a slighted area, people would have enjoyed touring this home or with strict restrictions, use part of the home for events.

[@texas6065]

Those were the days of high Fashon houses an Clothes. It was a Grand Era but times were Hard an places like the Pullman Mansions were out of since with the times as was others. Beautiful Houses with equally Beautiful interiors. Thank you for sharing this Beautiful look into an Era long past.

[@jameyoung9544]

My name is James Allyn Young I just very much enjoyed seeing this program. It is so sad that this historically important home had to be raised but it is great that you have saved it in this why for all to enjoy.

[@witzelasper2821]

As somebody that appreciates fabulous architecture I must say I'm thoroughly pissed about this house being demolished

[@a.rosehawk9751]

Wow the cleaning must if been 24/7!! Unimaginable!🌹

[@michaeldalton8374]

Especially with only fireplaces for heat. Ash particles everywhere.

[@clutzwinstead279]

Lovely story and home. Such a shame that people no longer respect the past and how wonderful it was.

[@Holidaygal]

I was thankful for the Pullman Foundation as I was able to go to college with a scholarship from them. Today, the Pullman Educational Foundation Scholarship continues as a merit-based, need-based scholarship of up to $40,000 over four years, depending on the student's financial need. Scholars who remain in good standing are invited to renew their scholarship during their four years of full-time undergraduate study.

[@attilladacook3405]

I would just love to see the interior pictures of the Pullman house colorized. It would be just glorious to see the approximate colors in each room.

[@kroch656]

You can download them and colorize them yourself, I do it with my old over 100 years family photos.

[@j1947m]

@@kroch656 But the colors wouldn't be real

[@libra42ful]

The opulence of the home is just astounding, mesmerizing...What a beautiful work of art...

[@martinemjt]

Quite a beautiful house. The craftsmanship is something we can only dream of! Very interesting history.

[@hodin2023]

As great as the house was, Pullmans railcar engineering is the history of America, and like his home is soon to be forgotten. Such a tragedy.

[@theducklinghomesteadandgar6639]

I hope whatever cars may still exist are being taken care of and/or restored to original glory. IF there aren't any around or are held privately so people cannot learn from, be inspired by them, etc., that hopefully someone or a group or whatever can make replicas. A lot of what would be needed for the actual car structure can been done almost entirely with scrap metals like the housings for appliances, tracks that could no longer be safely used but could be put together to hold non-moving cars. I think it is sad that we have scientists called archaeologists who did up ancient technologies and try to figure out what something did, how it did it and for what purpose in society did it perform its function, as well as the whole the something was actually created, made and/or used. So, to that end..... The other reasons I would like to see this happen are: 1) The car's interior setup & design made a huge impact on how cars were designed in their day & still to this day 2) The technologies that were new and/or upgraded on the cars as a train-car were new and/or fast improving 3) I also think they could be useful and enticing demonstrations to pull new generations into the various fields within the railway/train system, as well as give one a basic & solid foundation of mechanisms, how they're intended to work and what they do, allowing for a better working understanding of the mechanics, functions and use/purpose of the more advanced technology to fall into place so much easier, once their training in the field begins. 4) I also feel that many of the good things, which were usually what made something well built, strong and long lasting, are the things that usually suffer its' integrity and/or are completely removed and lost to, many times, unworthy advancements. Cheapened quality by trying to manufacture faster, or a lighter product, or a combination part that may have weakness or cause tension or stress where it would be placed, etc...... Even the majority of houses experience this very same thing. IF the sisters had simply passed the house down and maybe turned into a museum or something, or like a non-profit whatever with the stipulations it could never be sold, torn down etc. and donated it to some society or the city with a stipulation that a pullman descendent/relative help oversee the property and/or be a member of the board and have a say in what might and might not be done, then maybe it would still be standing today, but I understand their want to have others have a piece of that history, or many pieces, as it meant that the memory would live on and it not just end up some demolished knocked down via a wrecking ball and other heavy equipment of the time, and then have the remains hauled off to a dump and/or burned!!!

[@michaelb2279]

@@theducklinghomesteadandgar6639 there are Pullman cars in various states of restoration at the IL Railway museum in Union IL.

[@elaineburch5397]

I will never understand how anyone could destroy a beautiful treasure like this. Excellent video. I learned quite a bit. Than you so very much.

[@williamhilbert8324]

They destroy them because they have no sense of community or history, just slaves to what is in style

[@cherylpatrick1386]

I think it is just terrible that here in the United States we tear our history down. It's sad to think there's nothing left with any class or magnificent design to show our great-grandchildren.

[@neenalouise2633]

Wow! This pains me to see all those mansions demolished. Sad really- very few left that needs preserving

[@greghank6554]

You're right it's sad that all the Mansions are gone it would be nice to see some of them now✌

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Preserving costs money.

[@cjderfler9706]

As a custom cabinet maker for twelve years for a once extremely well known shop on the North Shore named Benvenuti and Stein designers and that ebony-nized finish was a black anilized stain not a paint in any way,shape,or form and it takes a top notched finisher to apply and applying it was extremely difficult because how important it was for even distribution of the pigment and it required multiple coats that must be applied perfectly uniform and getting into crevasses and corners must be done with extreme skill. Usually with horse hair small pencil brushes that obtain a very sharp tip. If one pieces doesn't get the exact proper coats of stain and have uniform value of shade. If not every one of the pieces must have all the pigment scraped and sanded off and reapplied. An exhausting endeavor, without a doubt!!!

[@christinechandler5690]

I would love to see New York and Chicago before the sky scrapers. I would imagine it was fabulous, unique and innovative, as well as luxurious.

[@tyroniousyrownshoolacez2347]

Can you imagine the sounds coming out of that house as all that intricate millwork and joinery expands and contracts year after year in a Chicago weather cycle!? Spooooooky. Bet them kids never slept alone 🤣. Great doc, thanks for sharing.

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

As a kid i went to stay in summers in such a place. Only the waving trees outside were scary at night 😅 To go and discover all the rooms from basement up to the attik was realy amazing. 🤗

[@markgarrett4700]

That house is long gone it was demolished in 1922 after being dismantled of all items of value from interior. Did you not watch the whole documentary?

[@williamtyre523]

Outstanding video, honored to have been a small part of this wonderful documentary!!

[@2SpiritedSycamore]

Hey Bill, Tom Weaver here, AKA Thomas Glessner Weaver and history buff. Wonderful documentary and engaging ...Next time have to visit the Pullman part of Chicago, when ever we travel during this COVID thing...Best regarrds and thanks for engaging video enjoying in Minnesota well Done!!

[@ceridwenmckenna5326]

Hi, I greatly enjoyed it. Can't find a credit for the narrator. Is that you?

[@williamtyre523]

No its not, I was interviewed so just show up in a few sections.

[@lindamurns1245]

It is truly UNFORTUNATE that this and I'm sure other homes like this where allowed to be destroyed! How sad!!!!!! This kind of craftsmanship will never be duplicated ever again in America I. Sure.

[@d.l.l.6578]

That’s Chicago. Tear it down and build a high rise. Those places could have been kept as museums.

[@lindamurns1245]

@@d.l.l.6578 sadly it's happening everywhere, that or let it rot away

[@gloriahanes5338]

@@lindamurns1245 True, the cost of rebuilding would extend into several millions of dollars. Homes built today are not meant to last more than a few decades at best and are made with inferior products. The first to go in newer homes are the block foundations as many homes are built before the foundation had a chance to cure and dry properly. Subsequently, sustaining cracks within the first year after construction and an improper foundation leads to a bad investment.

[@cementhapavery]

@@gloriahanes5338 Yes, concrete needs to be cured for a least 7 days by keeping it damp. This ensures that the chemical reactions bonding the particles and aggregates together are completed. Premature shrinkage will also occur resulting in a lot of crazing and cracking similar to when mud dries out. I have observed that a lot of new home footings are never cured at all but left in the hot sun to dry out. Builders don't even cover the surface with plastic to minimize rapid drying. I have been told that if a slab is not cured it loses 50% of its potential strength overnight. Conversely, contractors are now better at forming the edges and rebate nicely and slabs are flatter using modern laser-light equipment. After the final set the ultimate best curing is continuous rain or drizzle with overcast skies for a few days - otherwise cover completely with plastic and leave a hosepipe running on low underneath. Weigh down the plastic sheet with sand. I have seen relatively new homes demolished because the slabs were not done right. All the carpets in the homes were moldy and rotten. This cannot be fixed. It is not healthy to live in a damp-infested house - (black mold?) Either the Fortecon plastic barrier was punctured or torn and/or no under-slab compacted fill was used. There should be at least 100mm. of compacted fill (dolomite). I have seen contractors using non-compacted dirt under slabs. This will cause problems in the future as clay soil is very hard to compact - it takes years to do this naturally. Like trying to compact chewing gum. The compacted dolomite can add extra dampness protection. Good concrete vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIi5cq2Jasmod9U

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

@@gloriahanes5338 I am not an architect, art historian or anything else along those lines - so in all honesty, I don’t know what I’m talking about 😆. But, I don’t believe it would be physically possible to recreate this. If it was, it would have to run into the billions. Such a lack of foresight to tear down something so dear.

[@derekstocker6661]

What an absolutely amazing house and family, this video makes the whole Pullman story come alive and shows what wonderful taste some of these people had and with a typical Victorian outlook that more is better. Thank you so much for this revelation about a well off American family whose name is still known and recognised in so many places.

[@mikekaup5252]

Evan worse than the demolition of these mansions is the worst of all is the demolition of the incredible railroad stations, especially in NY City.

[@mariantreber8055]

I'm shadowbanned , so it's usually a waste of effort for me to post, but I'll try. I love all these antique things and homes but homes need a ton of money and artisans to keep them up!! I have an old empire sofa I need to get redone, mainly the cloth. Hope I can find a good, affordable upholsterer and fabric. So far, no luck on the fabric. Any real suggestions on fine looking fabrics? It was in a gold satin - stripe. Mahogany wood, I believe. The fine sort. Money is always an issue. Fine fabric is pricey but I have a goal on this one.

[@2bornot2b54]

@@mariantreber8055Great post thanks for putting this issue in perspective. Good luck preserving the sofa and homing it.

[@gailjohnson8315]

I love old houses. Thanks for sharing.

[@Poetessa2]

This makes my heart ache, so many stunning mansions were destroyed at that time, when they were not that old. What a stunning dream home they put so much love, expense and care into....only to have it stripped, gutted and razed. I will never understand the waste. We will never get those jewels back. A travesty.

[@billhosko7723]

@@djavidianmx1832 ideat

[@flipnawesome5756]

Thank you for this wonderful glimpse into our history. Such a beautiful grand manor house. The thought of its destruction is beyond sad. The loss of architectural history in our country is truly devastating. I’m am happy that some of the pieces are safe, and in a place that respects what they are, works of art and impeccable craftsmanship!

[@gloriahanes5338]

When the land becomes more valuable than the mansion the mansion is no longer a viable commodity. This has happened in (all) the larger cities across America. Thank God some mansions in smaller cities still exist and are built between 1825 and 1897. Preserving these relics are what I believe in and have staked a good part of my life lovingly restoring and preserving these gems for future generations.

[@doreenblatz2440]

You sound like a good person to ask, how do they keep all that ornate woodwork clean during those times. Seems like an endless task for whoever did that work. With those high ceilings, what do they use to get that high to clean? Just something I’ve always wondered while watching these type of videos but they never explain that part.

[@gloriahanes5338]

@@doreenblatz2440 ...Lots of linseed oil and tons of rags for the woodwork. The ceilings were cleaned with wooden extenders with an attached feather duster mounted on the extender to reach the ceilings. Servants would begin their day at 5:00 a.m. and work late in the evening.

[@doreenblatz2440]

@@gloriahanes5338 definitely a time when you would want to be the occupants and not the servants. Thank You for sharing your knowledge of the cleaning process. You must have a very satisfying job, if I was younger sounds like a job I would love.

[@gloriahanes5338]

@@doreenblatz2440 ...I am the owner of several Victorian mansions, and I may never have been a servant though I know how to wear a tool belt and renovate Victorian homes.

[@doreenblatz2440]

@@gloriahanes5338 your a lucky lady to have such a great job. I love seeing homes restored to there former beauty.

[@lisamarts5678]

i am soooo happy that there are photos of old mansions

[@jimpullman-sr2525]

WOW!! Fascinating is an understatement. I've been researching my family history for years and I had no idea this video existed. The #1 to-do-before-I die item on my bucket list is to visit this area. If I win the lottery, I'm going to travel there on a train and sleep in a modern-day sleeping car, and then spend a couple of weeks in Chicago. THANK YOU very, very much for producing this most wonderful new #1 addition to my collection of information.

[@danpatch4751]

Jim Pullman, I wonder if there is anything left that you could make claim to.

[@judyvalencia3257]

Also, I’m shocked the Pullman money was not divided up so it could be pasted down from generation to generation. Of course I don’t know anything about finances, as you can tell, but I would have assumed you’d be rich.

[@redbandit7481]

Yeah right

[@lauraguida8482]

Another place you might want to check out is the Crown Plaza hotel in Union Station located in Indianapolis. They have Pullman cars that you can stay in. Our family stayed in one when we visited Indianapolis.

[@patriciadunne3384]

Very interesting documentary- sad though

[@chriswitt2596]

This is an amazing documentary. One of the best I've ever seen on these historic wonderful homes built in the 1800s. So great to see photos of each room. Sad that they original Pullman home was destroyed. But being able to view the inside and then seeing some of the original contents was amazing. To think that the original work was in the basement of that building was mind-blowing. It's almost like it was crying out to be seen. Wonderful job. I liked how there weren't a ton of speakers. Just one main person talking is really the best way to do a documentary. Thank you. Well done.

[@thomasschiller5197]

It's nice how he and his lived but he is remembered for how he tried to squeeze his employees out of every dime !

[@alexhenry4434]

I enjoyed this.... fantastic architecture, a level of workmanship that almost doesn't exist anymore....

[@buffyk-952]

I love this home, absolutely gorgeous. That it was sold to the highest bidder, and what was left, demolished, sickening.

[@cherylmonopoli2896]

Such a good video,considering it was based on black and white photos!! The narration was excellent and the background music was perfect.I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.Thankyou to all involved.Cheryl from Adelaide Australia😊

[@cherylmaden5989]

Hey Cheryl 🤗 it's Cheryl from ft. Lauderdale fla. 💜✨🤗 I really enjoyed this video also

[@danieldelewis2448]

Great choice of background music.

[@nicksgarage2]

Great video. People complain about our current disposable society but it's not a new phenomena.

[@rogeremmerson]

Just discovered this gem; so interesting. Bonus footage of the two Henry Hobson Richardson buildings - one of my favourite architects.

[@stardustgirl2904]

My son is going to school to become an Architect, he's been building thing's since he was 5 years old! It's been his entire life!

[@cathycasuccio3227]

@@stardustgirl2904 architects design, engineers build.

[@ernshaw78]

The shame is how many times we as a country could have preserved great historical edifices, in a historical context, and failed. Growing up in there 1990s many of what I read in older books impressed me that we had incredible design and things to preserve and seeing so many of these incredible places gone while someone like Frank Lloyd Wrong is preserved in his entirety while Horace Trumbauer and other great architects are written out is a shame. We as a country with our resources can do FAR better and it sickens me even to see the 1920s having such a lack of respect for history.

[@J00sey]

Seems to me the real instrument of decay was the automobile, not specific architects or styles.

[@janlloyd6138]

In Long Beach, Ca. There were so many beautiful victorians that were pulled down until a historical society started protesting the loss, I think maybe 5% got saved but better than nothing. People are ignorant/

[@ericgriffinthefirst]

Well said.destroying the creations of an artist or master craftsman is an act of sin looked down opon by God himself.i can't imagine the. Sick feeling it would give me to do that.its a crime to humanity and especially to america.we are already devoid and sparse in the amounts of that type of work.so much so that they had to ship in from Europe the ones who did the work. ..and for no reason even is what kills me.there is argument over costs to repair or refurbish and maintain.but this home was meticulously upkept on yearly basis.there were no leaking roofs or rotted floor systems,or broken pieces.it was museum quality at the time they decided to destroy.the Pullman girls should burn in hell(might be a little harsh)for letting their childhood home recieves it's fate.what kind of person that's raised up there be the main destroyers of it.thats what money did to them.they still had loads of it and we're getting more since her death.to me the whole way this went down with them as the ones swinging the wrecking ball. Is very bizarre to me .maybe because I'm a master craftsman,architect,and home builder,and artist.started watching half of this video last night and couldn't sleep well thinking about it.

[@gavinthor4479]

Be sure you don't research anything about the Metropolitan Bldg in Minneapolis. Looking at photos, and learning what happened will make you sick.

[@billhosko7723]

@@J00sey Good grief... Pfft... sure... and horse and buggy... would have carried man thru perfectly...

[@brothergerman597]

Excellent narrative and depictions 👍🏼 I’ve been to Chicago 3 times, but didn’t know about this Mansion with so much history. The Pullman House was truly an American Palace!! I really enjoyed this video 🤓 Blessings from London Ontario 🇨🇦🙋🏻‍♂️

[@rickyrodriguez5744]

Amazing how time catches up to us all.

[@judyimel5697]

Thanks for sharing love

[@stormspire]

The Nethercutt museum in Los Angeles also has a Pullman car that can be toured. If you are there when it’s open you can walk through it.

[@williamschlenger1518]

Pullman had a house in my home town. Long Branch N.JWe even have a Pullman ave.

[@osonomeo]

I have to agree, this is an excellent documentary on the architectural detailing and the history of Pullman's mansion. I did a paper on Pullman's career in college, there is a dark side to his business practices causing his burial ground to be secured under a lead slab.

[@patriciadunne3384]

Now that is just as interesting

[@nygrl6102]

Do tell....

[@lindahansen5853]

The family was afraid of grave robbers. Also they were worried he would raise from the dead.

[@d.l.l.6578]

?????

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

Awww, now I have to go on another Internet search. LOL!!

[@scaleyardmarine]

My heart is broken to learn of the fate of such a beautiful house 😞

[@lesliedeana5142]

So sad that the craftsmanship of all the laborers and artists no longer have the structure that contained it all. 😥

[@izzy9132]

Thank you for bringing us this fascinating documentary. All these architectural styles elements and fine workmanship crammed into one place simply overwhelmed me. Oh my!

[@Been.Here.Since.2007]

This is what the lives of your workers can afford you.

[@donHooligan]

just a number. bosses are like generals.

[@mynameismarlys]

And all of it lain to waste from urban blight. It's as if there were some lesson here.

[@amihuss773]

Wonderful source of information. Thank you!!!

[@MrsBrit1]

Wow, I wrongly assumed this video, on a channel called the Pullman project, was going to be about restoring this mansion from disrepair or something, but instead learn it's long gone! What a bloomin shame that is! Gorgeous details everywhere!

[@porkturtle8321]

I assumed the same thing! 🙃

[@renataheiberg7534]

Welcome to Chicago. The realm of stupid and woke.

[@divaden47]

I just can't begin to imagine the amount of servants the Pullmans must have had to maintain this house. All that polishing and dusting. :@

[@melindamcclain835]

This was very interesting to watch because my mom's 2nd cousin was married to Henry Pullman.

[@SF-qu3fw]

An interesting and extremely well presented documentary!

[@pullmanhouseproject1475]

We've got a tremendous amount of views in the past few hours. Can we ask how you came across our video?

[@McCoolerThenU]

@@pullmanhouseproject1475 I found it on my youtube homepage. It was recommended! Fantastic documentary btw. So interesting!

[@SF-qu3fw]

I too was recommended your video on my home page.

[@lindacheragotti7730]

by accident...

[@varonadee6980]

@@pullmanhouseproject1475 Hi, and thank you for this amazing presentation. It appeared to me by way of the KZbin algorithm noticing I was frequently watching B&W movies from the 1930s-1940s involving mystery, house, and train, so it gave me a line-up of recommendations including Sherlock Holmes' "House of Fear"; "The Ghost Train"; a 1938 "Mystery House", and your Pullman House Project mansion documentary which topped all of them for interest and fascination. The supplemental history in the comments of so many viewers adds even more to the wonder and imagining of life in early 20th century America!

[@jlorensnooks9149]

There is another Pullman Manson, sometimes called the White house of the west in Hillsboro CA named Caroline's after his wife. It was donated to the city and still stands as far as I know. Very impressive! Made of sandstone in 1915

[@jimpullman-sr2525]

Interesting ! Thank you.

[@lemorab1]

It is called Carolands. It bankrupted the woman who built it. For years, Carolands lay decaying and abandoned. Then, a very wealthy couple bought it and beautifully restored it. Today, I think it is rented out as a large event venue and tours are given. A documentary was made about it within the past 20 years.

[@wendyannh]

Carolands in Hillsborough, CA is indeed a magnificent home. I was fortunate to get to tour it in the ‘90s when it was the site of the local Decorator Showcase. It does indeed still stand and can be rented out for events like weddings.

[@steelman86]

You are thinking of Chateau Carolands in Hillsborough, California. It was build by Harriet Pullman Carolands in anticipation of the S.F. Worlds fair. Harriet inherited a fortune from her father and proceeded building the Chateau, but unfortunately, workers were hard to keep as they were working on building the fair. The costs kept rising and her Mother told her it was too big of an undertaking for the time. Harriet borrowed some money from her mother to continue building but the things bought in Europe for the house were late arriving and workers continued leaving. Countess Lillian Dandini personally told me that Harriet wanted the chateau finished before the opening of the fair and for it to be used to choose paintings for the fair displayed and selected from the naturally lit spacious interior of the chateaus several floors. (It was the largest open space of any home in the U.S. at the time) That never happened and even though Harriet and her Husband Frank Caroland, owned 30 acre Crossways in Burlingame where her husband had his polo field for weekend use, the chateau caused their eventual break up and there was only one small party held there after the fair opened. Shortly after in 1918, Harriet closed the Chateau and moved back east alone. Harriet remarried a long time friend in 1925. The chateau sat empty for many, many years and was eventually sold to a developer who kept 10 acres around the chateau and built homes all around it. Much more history and owners but not for this time!

[@barbiegross1002]

You want extravagance check out the hearse Castle mansion in California

[@TheFiown]

Funny how Americans are so obssessed with European chateaux and domains when they willingly demolished so many great homes and estates or simply left them to rot. Even today in the US and around NY for exemple there are great homes falling down whilst shoddy imitations of the same grandeur is built for people with more money than taste.

[@ferocient]

Yes, often referred to as "McMansions". They are cheaply-built, stylistically derivative and ultimately disposable. A good representation of the short-term thinking and values of the monied class here in the U.S.

[@debratorres5299]

Absolutely correct! Makes me sad

[@gmoritz71last52]

Dayton, Ohio & Toledo are great examples of the same thing. ( just to name a couple ) There W.E.R.E places this nice THERE that were demolished. Oh well, the city HAS to tax the crap out of them to preserve pensions ( that are better than you are gonna get ). Can't pay the tax? You are stoooopid.

[@MrDhandley]

So sad!

[@miami5949]

Cuz People European come build america ,so house in american seen chateau. Till now in world, luxury house still icon chateau n castle , european life style still icon luxury world, hotel, wine n brand hermes, chanel everything from french

[@jgreen406]

Got stuck going to Buffalo in January. Walking this stretch daily was the highlight of an otherwise gray and wet trip.

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

As a kid growing up in Pittsfield ma, I lived near the main rail yard, and we used to play in all the old Pullman cars parked in the yard for various reasons. its hard to imagine anyone in this country that has not been effected by a Pullman car. at one point in their life. Amazing video thank you for sharing. ECF

[@richardmcleod1930]

At least Mrs. Pullman's dog Bosco was provided a good home for the rest of his life. The Pullman name will remain though with the beautiful railroad cars that were built.

[@miapdx503]

In my Father's house are many mansions...they enjoyed this splendor for a time...we'll enjoy it for all eternity. 🌹

[@suzzyq]

It wont be so dark and depressing then!

[@rickyboll]

I kept waiting to hear where all those artifacts found in the basement of the old Chicago Historical Society Building eventually wound up. The video made such a point of this coincidental find of the cache but never told us what they did with it all.

[@pullmanhouseproject1475]

The artifacts from the Pullman Mansion are on display at Historic Pullman Foundation's Exhibit Hall in Pullman, Chicago. The end of the videos explains how they got there and shows a few of the marvelous pieces.

[@hodin2023]

My father was an engineer for Burlington Route. I have arrived in Chicago several times by rail, and have family outside of the Windy City. My next visit I plan to visit Exhibit Hall. Thanks for the info.

[@rickyboll]

@@pullmanhouseproject1475 Thanks for the clarification.

[@adasamoilovich6496]

The Pullman house was the American History and a piece of a Great architectural Treasure. It is so painful to see it demolished. I was visiting Prague, and how proud the Czech people of their Art Nouveau buildings. They restore all of them to previous glory. I hope we all treasure the buildings and monuments as part of American Heritage.

[@elsasevilla3416]

What a great story! Loved all the historical elements and pieces which told the Pullman story. Great work!

[@sherrillcornett4212]

I live in the south and there was so much destruction and destroying beautiful homes during the Civil War! Why oh why would anyone deliberately destroy these beautiful homes! I am so saddened by this intentional destruction!

[@debratorres5299]

So true

[@bigboy77dk]

It is really sad, that so many of these homes are gone. I just saw a similar documentary, of the grand mansions of New York, that where also demolished. When you look at the pictures, these where beautiful fairytale castles, made of the best materials, by the best crafts people available... And I always wonder, why people where so eager to rip them down. As others suggested, you would think they could have been used for someting else than single family homes.

[@ilahildasissac1943]

I agree.

[@98Zai]

Well, as somewhat carefully mentioned in the video, they tore the Pullman house down because they were afraid it would be turned into a brothel - just like the other houses on the street. In order to protect the Pullman name from being stained by immoral practices LOL. Ironically, the illicit businesses saved those houses from being demolished and turned into factories, therefore saving us a piece of history. Isn't that quite the story?

[@rdlewis3616]

I think greed is responsible. Easier to tear down and build cheaper and higher.

[@jasonclark6194]

@@rdlewis3616 rewriting history and technologies that would cause certain families to lose power

[@christinechandler5690]

They could make more money building higher. It's a pity as both cities would have benefited from some unique architecture. One tall glass building looks the same as another glass building

[@lgannawa]

This was fantastic! Thank you!

[@marvwatkins7029]

Victoriana: a cultured home, full of expensive furnishings, fixtures, and rare exquisite art (and object d'arte, quite different), reflects not just (great) wealth, but supreme and confident, taste.

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

A hideous hodgepodge of everything possible, insanely busy and crowded. Claustrophobic mess of a house interior, scary. I grew up around Victorians back in the 1950's and some of them had this sort of 'busy' house. Old Mrs. Michnere, for example, had a similar mansion in Pasadena and it also had a tiger rug in one room which I remember as a small child. She lived outside in a pavilion and rarely went inside. She had High Tea with her wild bird friends who would perch on the tea cups or her chair or hop on the table. I loved this so much!

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

When she (and my grandfather who lived nearby) died, the city of Pasadena illegally bulldozed both her mansion and my grandfather's house. It was a scandal! We won the lawsuit about this and this paid for my college years. I was so very angry when we came there after neighbors called (we lived in Arizona) and all there was in ruins, smashed.

[@AndreaDingbatt]

@@emsnewssupkis6453My sympathy, for what it's worth. And, I agree with your 1st reply also. Namaste. Andrea and Critters. .XxX

[@debratorres5299]

@@emsnewssupkis6453 so sorry

[@davidmeynell1251]

My grandmother had one of these great homes after my grandfather died with owing money instead of moving out she had the place done over with apts inside keeping a beautiful one for her she sold everything off to pay for it I think it was 10 apts that went in. I barley remember the house before except the grand hall at Christmas with a 15 ft tree in it and the open staircase we would slide down on. The house is still there she lived in it till her 99 the birthday with a son. I took some pictures of it and showed some friends they said it looked like the Adams family house. The grounds have changed bit the house is still thereost of the grand inside is gone. Such of the past

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

Only place I ever could call home was 7 years in Da Gold Coast in Daley's regime. Almost married his best buds daughter... Love this video n miss da city with all my heart n soul...

[@binyon7]

Nice layout. Colonel Mustard, in the Billiards Room, with the Candlestick!

[@wilsixone]

Thanks so much for the opportunity to watch this. Very interesting!

[@hikerx9366]

Pains me as well to see such history destroyed....but what pains me even more is the arrogance of the rich, while found in the shadows around the corner perhaps, the hungry and poor begging for food for their families and children. That fact my friends continues to this day. Thanks for sharing the story.

[@mysterytrain3]

Excellent presentation. I enjoy old Chicago architecture. I was born and raised there and still have great love for the city, in spite of the tragic social deterioration (crime, gangs, etc.) that is taking place.

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

😢

[@tylero8595]

It gets sadder and sadder as you watch knowing this is forever gone. Too bad. It was amazing.

[@chesterwilberforce9832]

My wife and I B and B'd in Eureka Springs, Arkansas at an old Victorian that had been built by a doctor in the late 1880s. At the time, the railroad was coming through and Pullman carpenters had a lot of layover time, so he hired them to do with woodworking in his house. It was just stunning, with a beautifully hand carved staircase, moldings, ceiling coffers.

[@misfithomemaker3683]

I went to Eureka Springs a couple times in my youth. I loved it, beautiful houses. They were lovely to view in the day, but also at night with the light shining through the windows and stained glass decorations. I live on a farm right now and don't travel, but Im hoping that will change one day and we can travel around with our daughter and show her things.