Pullman history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Pullman began in the 1870s, when the first European settlers arrived in this picturesque corner of Washington state. Initially, the settlement bore the descriptive name Three Forks, which was related to the geographical feature of the location — the confluence of three small water streams: Missouri Flat Creek, Dry Fork, and the Palouse River.

The city was officially incorporated in 1888. Notably, the city received its modern name in honour of the renowned industrialist George Pullman, the creator of the famous sleeping cars. Local residents hoped that such an honour would encourage the tycoon to route a railway through their city, which ultimately contributed to its development.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small settlement into a significant regional centre occurred thanks to a successful combination of several factors:

• Agricultural Potential: Pullman is located in the very heart of the Palouse region, known for its unique rolling landscapes and incredibly fertile soil, ideally suited for farming.
• The Role of Education: A turning point in history was the decision in 1890 to establish a land-grant college here, which subsequently grew into Washington State University (WSU). This event determined the city's destiny forever.
• Transport Accessibility: The arrival of the railway allowed for the establishment of effective exports of grain and other products, securing the city's status as a trading hub.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, the economy of Pullman relied entirely on agriculture, particularly on the cultivation of wheat and legumes. The city served as an important point for the collection and shipment of harvests for farmers from the entire surrounding area.

However, with the opening of the college, the cultural appearance of the city began to change rapidly. Pullman ceased to be merely a farming settlement, acquiring the features of a university town. Students and professors brought new traditions, educational events, and sports competitions to community life, creating a unique symbiosis of an academic environment and rural comfort.

Major Milestones in the City's History

• 1876 — The first European settlers, including Bolivar Whaley and Dan McKenzie, settle at the confluence of three streams, laying the foundations for the future city.
• 1881 — Orville Stewart opens the first general store, marking the beginning of the settlement's commercial development.
• 1884 — The settlement, previously known as "Three Forks", is renamed Pullman in honour of industrialist George Pullman.
• 1887 — The first railway arrives in the city, opening access to broad grain markets for farmers of the Palouse region.
• 1888 — Pullman is officially incorporated and receives city status.
• 1890 — The Washington State Legislature makes the decision to establish a land-grant college in Pullman.
• 1890 — A devastating fire destroys most of the wooden structures in the centre, after which active construction of brick buildings begins.
• 1892 — The Agricultural College and School of Science of Washington opens its doors, welcoming its first students.
• 1917 — The college receives the name State College of Washington, expanding its academic programme.
• 1959 — The educational institution is officially renamed Washington State University (WSU), cementing the city's status as a major educational centre.
• 1982 — Edmund Schweitzer founds Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) in Pullman, which becomes a key employer and technological leader in the region.
• 2000s — The city continues to expand infrastructure, strengthening its position as a centre for biotechnology and modern agriculture in the Pacific Northwest.

Stages of Transformation and Development of Pullman

The history of Pullman is a journey from a small farming settlement to a modern centre of education and technology. Below are the key moments that radically changed the appearance and economy of the city:

• Arrival of the Railway (1887): Connecting to the Northern Pacific Railway network provided the first powerful economic boost. This event turned the isolated settlement into the main logistics hub of the Palouse region, allowing farmers to mass-export grain to external markets.
• The "Brick Revolution" after the 1890 Fire: A devastating fire forced city authorities to revise urban planning standards. Replacing wooden structures, a centre made of red brick was erected, which today forms the historical appearance of the city and attracts tourists with its architectural integrity.
• Opening of the College (1892): The start of classes at the future Washington State University (WSU) changed the city's demographics forever. Pullman ceased to depend solely on harvests, receiving a constant influx of youth, lecturers, and government investments in education.
• Post-War Construction Boom (1940–1950s): The return of World War II veterans and the passing of the G.I. Bill led to a sharp increase in the number of students. This provoked a large-scale expansion of city infrastructure, the construction of new residential areas and campuses, defining the modern boundaries of the city.
• Granting of University Status (1959): Renaming the college to Washington State University increased the city's prestige. This attracted federal research grants, expanded the scientific base, and made Pullman a centre of attraction for international specialists.
• Technological Breakthrough with SEL (1982): The founding of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories by Edmund Schweitzer diversified the economy. The emergence of large-scale high-tech manufacturing allowed the city to retain engineering graduates and reduced the economy's dependence on the seasonality of the academic year.
• Modernisation of the Transport Hub (2000s – Present): The reconstruction and expansion of the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport (PUW) became a response to the growth of the population and business activity. Improving air connectivity is critically important for a city remote from major metropolises, ensuring mobility for business and the academic community.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Pullman is a visual history of the development of an American university town in the West. Here, historical buildings from the late 19th century, made of local red brick, harmoniously coexist with modern high-tech campuses integrated into the unique rolling landscape of the Palouse region.

The "Red Brick" Era: Late 19th — Early 20th Century

The urban planning appearance of the central part of the city (Downtown) was predetermined by the fire of 1890. After the disaster, a decision was made to build exclusively with brick, the clay for which was mined nearby. This period is characterized by solid commercial architecture designed to demonstrate reliability and prosperity.

• Style: Commercial Eclecticism, elements of Neo-Romanesque style.
• Characteristic Features: Red brick facades, arched windows, decorative cornices, and flat roofs.
• Iconic Buildings:
  • Flatiron Building: One of the most recognizable buildings in the city with a triangular shape, built at the convergence of streets. A vivid example of adapting architecture to complex plot geometry.
  • Historic Centre: Blocks along Main Street have preserved the atmosphere of the turn of the century and are today occupied by cafes and boutiques.

Victorian Romanticism and the Birth of the Campus (1890–1910s)

With the development of Washington State University (WSU) on College Hill, buildings began to appear designed to emphasize the academic status of the institution. Architects sought to give the young college the look of a solid European university.

• Style: Richardson Romanesque, elements of Victorian Gothic and Queen Anne style.
• Iconic Building: Thompson Hall (1894). This is the oldest surviving building on campus and its symbol. With its conical towers and massive stonework, it resembles a fairytale castle and serves as the dominant feature of the university town.

Modernism and Brutalism: Post-War Expansion (1950–1970s)

After World War II and during the baby boom period, the university and the city experienced explosive growth. The rapid construction of functional buildings was required. Decoration was replaced by strict lines, concrete, and glass.

• Style: International Style, Brutalism.
• Characteristic Features: Massive concrete structures, geometric shapes, lack of ornamentation, functional layouts.
• Examples: Many dormitories and academic buildings of that period, including the Terrell Library, reflect the monumentality and utilitarian approach of this era.

Modernity: High-Tech and Organic Architecture (Since the 1990s)

In recent decades, Pullman's architecture has shifted towards sustainable development and integration with nature. New buildings are designed with energy efficiency and visual connection to the Palouse hills in mind.

• Style: Postmodernism, High-Tech, Bio-Tech (organic architecture).
• Characteristic Features: Use of glass for natural lighting, flowing lines, eco-friendly materials.
• Iconic Building: Brelsford WSU Visitor Center. Its curved roof and wooden beams replicate the undulating lines of the surrounding hills, and the huge letters W-S-U integrated into the facade have become a popular photo zone. Also worth noting is the PACCAR building — an example of modern "green" construction.

Notable Personalities of Pullman

Thanks to the presence of a major research university and a developed technology industry, Pullman has become a place of formation, work, or study for many famous people. From pioneers of agriculture to Hollywood stars and titans of the IT industry — these figures have left a noticeable mark on the history of the city and the world.

• Edmund Schweitzer
  Inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist.
  Founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). He invented the first digital protective relay, which revolutionized the electric power industry. Schweitzer not only created thousands of jobs in Pullman, turning it into a technological hub, but also actively supports local educational and community initiatives.
• Edward R. Murrow
  Journalist, broadcaster.
  One of the most authoritative journalists in US history, a pioneer of news broadcasting. Murrow graduated from the local college (now WSU) in 1930. His legacy is immortalized in the name of the university's College of Communication, and his standards of journalistic ethics are still taught to Pullman students today.
• Paul Allen
  Co-founder of Microsoft, investor.
  The famous business magnate studied at Washington State University in Pullman before leaving his studies to create Microsoft with Bill Gates. Despite leaving, Allen maintained a connection with the city and the university, making significant donations to scientific research, particularly in the fields of veterinary medicine and global health.
• William Jasper Spillman
  Agronomist, geneticist.
  Working in Pullman in the early 20th century, Spillman made an invaluable contribution to the development of agriculture in the Palouse region. He worked on breeding wheat adapted to local conditions and effectively rediscovered Mendel's laws in plant genetics, ensuring the prosperity of the region's farmers for decades to come.
• Steve Gleason
  Professional athlete, public figure.
  A star of the WSU football team who later became an NFL player. After being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), he became a world-renowned activist fighting for the rights of people with neuromuscular diseases. In Pullman, he is revered as a symbol of resilience; a recruiting centre at the stadium is named in his honour.
• Dolph Lundgren
  Actor, director, martial artist.
  Before beginning his film career in action movies, the Swedish actor lived in Pullman and studied at the university on a scholarship in chemical engineering. This fact often surprises tourists, but locals are proud that the future Hollywood star received his engineering education here.
• Elson Floyd
  Educator, administrator.
  President of Washington State University (2007–2015), known as "everyone's president". His leadership led to significant growth of the campus in Pullman, an increase in the number of students, and the creation of a medical school that now bears his name. His contribution to the academic development of the city is considered one of the most significant in the 21st century.