Luxury on Wheels

In May 1865 the Illinois Journal reported that "a radical change is coming where the public would travel upon the rails with as much ease as though sitting in their parlors, sleep and eat on board with more ease and comfort than it would be possible to do on a first-class steamer." It wouldn't be long before what they had envisioned for their readers would be reality.

Field and Pullman had manufactured and patented a railroad car which was "embellished with window curtains looped in heavy folds, rich Brussels carpeting, black walnut woodwork, French plate mirrors suspended from the walls and beautiful chandeliers with elegant green shades handing from the ceiling, painted with elaborate designs upon an azure background,"  thus quoted the Illinois Journal after touring the new railroad car at the Chicago and Alton depot  a short time later.

George Pullman was born in far western New York, attended school until his was fourteen, then worked as a cabinet maker with his brother.  About that time, the Erie Canal was to be widened at Alton, New York.  Pullman helped move the warehouses to prepare the way. 

Pullman arrived in Chicago in 1855 at the age of 24 and signed on to help solve the problem of the city's water logged streets.  He gained a reputation for raising blocks of brick and stone buildings, including the up-scale Tremont House.  In 1858 he made his first experiments with the railroad sleeping car.  He improved two coaches at the cost of $1,000 each using cherry wood and plush fabrics.  Pullman was just getting started...

Next time.  A short stint in gold
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Today in Pioneer History: "On November 29, 1929, American explorer Richard Byrd makes the first flight over the South Pole.  Byrd and his three companions fly from Rose Ice Shelf to the pole and back in 18 hours and 41 minutes.