Pullman National Monument plans pick up steam as 1st anniversary approaches

As Chicago nears the first anniversary of Pullman’s designation as the city’s first national monument, officials say restoration plans will start picking up speed soon.

At first glance, not much seems to have changed. The National Park Service has emblazoned its trademark arrowhead banner on the visitor center it shares with the Historic Pullman Foundation. A cozy cafe has opened and serves coffee in the historic district.

Behind the scenes, however, plans to rejuvenate the former luxury rail car manufacturing neighborhood on the Far South Side are gradually materializing, including one of the first steps toward restoring arguably the park’s most identifiable landmark — the administration building — and a couple of major exhibits… Please click here to read Tony Briscoe’s story in the Tribune.