Commemorative plate helps fund projects
Pullman Square may be busy today, but nothing compares to the thriving industry that once existed there.
James Diamond, a member of Pullman-Standard Historical Fund, wants to preserve the square's rich history.
“When you say Pullman, people have no idea what you're talking about,” Diamond said. “People don't know what was here.”
Diamond said the organization is trying to change that through various projects, including raising money selling commemorative license plates for the front of vehicles.
The plates feature a Pullman railcar with the date 1902, the year John Hansen purchased the then-Butler Fairgrounds for his new company, Standard Car Co.
The plates are made by Star Image Products on Hansen Avenue and sold for $10 at seven vendors, including American Legion Post 778, Monroe Hotel, Kings, Tim Titler, Goin' Postal, Minute Man Press and Butler Florist.
“It's all being done in Butler,” Diamond said. “I think it's good to stay local.”
Diamond said money raised by the commemorative plates will help fund the group's three planned projects. One would add a memorial flag to the Transit Authority's flagpoles.
Another would place six pole-mounted banners displaying 12 historic images of the plant at the square's Bell Street entrance, which used to be the main entrance to the plant. The banners will feature Pullman Standard railcars and its founders — George Pullman, John Hansen and “Diamond” Jim Brady.
The plant once processed 1,500 tons of steel per day and used 15.5 miles of railroad track, 54 high capacity overhead cranes, 1,400 welding machines and consumed 16 tons of welding rods and wire each day.
“In six days, 300 (cars) were built and gone,” Diamond said. “We built cars for everybody in the U.S.”
It has been estimated that the plant produced more than 500,000 cars in its history.
“It was just huge,” Diamond said. “It was like alive, and then that was it. They closed. It was like they flipped a switch.”
The final project involves the refurbished, yellow railcar that stands as a monument outside the Transit Authority.
Built by Pullman-Standard Car Co. in June 1974, the car traveled around the world. The group tracked it down in Saskatchewan, Canada. From there it traveled the rails to New Castle in neighboring Lawrence County, where it was refurbished into its yellow form.In 2011, cranes placed the car at it current location, but Diamond said not many people know the car's significance.He said the third project will add a sign explaining its significance.“I think our goal would be to have all of these and maybe others someday,” Diamond said.He said he wants to highlight the historical value of Pullman Square any way he can.“A lot of money was brought into Butler Area with Pullman Standard,” Diamond said.Pat Collins, former executive director of the Butler Historical Society, said the company employed thousands of city and township residents over the years.“I would say, three generations of Butler people depended on Standard Steel and Pullman for their livelihood,” Collins said.She said the company also affected the cultural development of the area, drawing European immigrants to the area with the promise of work.“The area that we know as Lyndora certainly was formed by Standard. They bought the land. They built the houses,” Collins said.Diamond said drawing attention to the history of the place might continue the good business and activity that has taken place there in recent years.“I think it's good. It's a different group of people,” Diamond said. “It is finally thriving.”
