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.