What is a Pullman Maid?

gdmichaels Mar 10, 2017

  1. gdmichaels

    gdmichaels TrainBoard Member

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    [​IMG]
    Pullman Maid Helping a Pullman Passenger
    and an Employment Application for a Prospective Pullman Maid, 1928


    March is Women's History Month and we decided to write a blog about the overlooked story of Pullman Maids, the African American women who (for about 50 years) worked alongside their male brethren (Pullman Porters) and saw to the needs of female passengers as maids and female attendants on certain Pullman Sleeper cars.

    [​IMG]
    Crescent Limited: Pullman Smoothside 85' Sleeper

    During the early 1900s, the peak of luxury travel by rail in the U.S., Pullman Maids offered extra Pullman services on trains noted for their luxury. Some of these trains included the '20th-Century Limited' of the New York Central RR, the 'Broadway Limited' of the Pennsylvania RR, the 'Crescent Limited' (pictured) of the Southern Railway, or the 'Chief' of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. Pullman Maids helped white female passengers with a variety of tasks, including bathing, manicures, hair dressing, stenographic / secretarial services and, of course, childcare. The decrease in sleeper car service (due to railroad line bankruptcies because of competition from airlines) led to a sharp decline in both Pullman Porters as well as Pullman Maids by the 1960s.

    A google search for "Pullman Porter" yields many results, including books, articles, museums / exhibits and websites about these former slaves George Pullman hired shortly after the Civil War to work on his fleet of sleeper cars.

    [​IMG]
    Staged Photos of Pullman Porters and
    Maids Helping Passengers


    Search results are quite different for "Pullman Maid." The first result describes a cleaning service in Pullman, Washington.

    Even the Interrail blog, Women and the Railroad Industry, which we shared earlier this month, neglects to even mention the role of Pullman Maids. To its credit, it does include pictures of both black and white railway workers.
     
  2. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Interesting indeed! In many decades of rail history interest, I've never heard of this aspect of Pullman operations.
     
  3. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    I also never heard of, or saw Pullman Maids. I traveled Pullmans on NY Central's Commodore Vanderbilt, and Rock Island/Southern Pacific's Golden State during 1945-1947, and enjoyed many Porters on those trips. I always felt they had a soft spot for 10-12 year old boys. Realistically, they probably were hired because they were just neat friendly guys.
     
  4. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    On a related note, I remember reading somewhere about personal maids on trains, usually in Pullmans. Many young black women found it to their advantage to arrange to travel as a "maid" with a white family to avoid having to ride in the squalid accommodations of the Jim Crow cars, many of which were quite unsafe for a young woman. There were channels to connect with perspective clients for women traveling from the south to a university up north for the school year. They would then arrange similar passage back home for the summer. There were no segregation issues for black maids traveling with white families in the south.
     
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  5. Jenna

    Jenna TrainBoard Member

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  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Never heard of these ladies, but their presence is quite logical.
     
  7. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    On Santa Fe's mainline. The Harvey Girls, but they didn't have anything to do with the Pullman Cars. You could find them serving meals at the various passenger train stops. Located at specific train stations and referred to as the Harvey House. First class meals with first class service. I had a great Aunt, who served as a Harvey Girl. The stories she could tell. Some to grown up for this little boys ears. :);)o_O

    See pictures of Barstow's Harvey Girls.
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2019
  8. Jenna

    Jenna TrainBoard Member

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    The Harvey Girls...did not know about these pioneering women. Thanks for sharing this information. I imagine your great Aunt had quite colorful stories to tell! Jenna
     
  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jenna and to everyone tuned in here,

    In the link I provided. There is a picture in the set that shows what is called a ballroom. The author hasn't read up on the history of the “Casa del Desierto” or House of the Desert, Barstow Train Station. It's the dinning room as it looked minus the tables and chairs. It was never used as a ballroom. The only time for such fun would of been after hours and there was no such thing as after hours. Passenger trains were indiscriminate and operated at all hours of the day and night. The menu might change up for example breakfast is now served, lunch and of course supper/dinner. In the dining room passengers got first class meals and service.

    In a room right next door to the dining room was a (trying to think what they called it) sandwich bar? There is a picture of it. Not sure that's correct for Barstow, but you get the idea. I don't think they served alcohol/beer. Wine was known to be served in the dining room. You could get cold sandwiches, (I don't think they had a grill to serve hamburgers), ice cream, soda's and the like. Best Hot Fudge Sundae's in town. You won't believe how small the kitchen is.

    Fine folk as far away as Big Bear Lake Ca., were known to travel to Barstow, just to eat in the Dining Room.

    The Harvey Girls lived in a dorm immediately behind the train station. Now occupied by the Route 66 Museum. There was a laundry that some worked in, now occupied by the Western American Railroad Museum or WARM for short. Yes, it does get warm in Barstow. HOT/Caliente!!

    There was certain rules similar to those you'll find enforced in parochial high schools. No fraternizing with the quest. You didn't have time for that. That is unless the passenger wanted to camp out in Barstow. Don't get me wrong. When the station was built they put in Hotel rooms on the second floor, for quest that wanted to stay overnight. Lay-over, something we are familiar with today, to wait for a connecting train.

    No one said you couldn't go out with the local Rails. It wasn't recommended. What little time off they actually had was, do I dare say well spent. Said of the Harvey Girls, they had fun!

    On the job, the supervision was strict and the standards set high. Your demeanor with the passengers had to be friendly but not forward. There was a proper stance and posture. Your uniform had to be immaculate. If you didn't measure up you weren't allowed to serve in the dining room.

    Yes, there are stories to be told and sadly we've all but lost touch with the women that made such a difference, whose contributions re-defined the west.

    I wish my aunt was still around to tell you her stories. For a while she had a good friend that lived in Barstow, and I was lucky enough to have visited with her as she tattled on my Aunt. Funny! It was good to see my aunt, through her eyes. What a gift. I said good bye to her and that would be the last good-bye.

    You can take this anyway you want. It is said of the Dorm, the kitchen, the Harvey House Section, including the walk ways to and from them that the Harvey Girls still haunt it. Many loved what they were doing. Others couldn't find a husband fast enough and quit/split. Oh by the way Mr. Harvey himself had to approve such going on's. A contractual agreement of sorts.

    As to the haunting s. If you don't believe in such. You will have to explain to the museum docents why when they open up in the morning they've found the shower running or heard female voices talking to each other in the upper stairs bedroom portion of the unused dorm. Or explain this: I saw a lady dressed up in her Aunt's, Harvey Girl Uniform. Seen behind her two women dressed in the similar garb, with happy smiles on their faces, following her. Think about it! That's not all I've seen and I don't believe in ghosts.

    Times have changed and sadly I think we are missing out. Those were the days.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2019
  10. Jenna

    Jenna TrainBoard Member

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    Rick: Thanks for this additional color...I love old movies and now I want to see The Harvey Girls, starring Judy Garland!

     
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  11. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have to tell you when most of the retired Harvey Girls, saw the movie they laughed at it. It is a glamorized portrayal of the lives they lived. You will get an idea of what it was all about. It's worth watching. Girl movie for sure but when you have family history, the silly stuff gets waved.

    Do I dare admit I have the movie on a VCR. Old technology for sure.

    There is a rail-fan VCR where the producers interview two retired Harvey Girls. I'll have to find it but don't hold your breath.

    Sorry, I didn't mean to hi-jack the original focus on Pullman Maids. They served on many of the finer passenger trains tending to the needs of mothers with children. The California Zephyr had the Zephyrettes. Basically nurses who served the passengers providing above board services.
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2019
  12. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Women served in many rolls on the railroads. During WWII was the peak, as woman rallied to keep the railroads running. Ticket Agents, Engine Mainteance, Scrubbers, Office Secretaries, Office Managers, Managing Train Operations, Coordinating Yard Activities, in some cases Dispatching, working in typical man roles as Brakeman, Switch-men, Hostlers and much, much more. Think Rosie the Riveter and you'd of found her at work on the railroads. These ladies made major contributions to keep the railroads running. Don't forget the gals in the plants that manufactured the new train equipment.

    It was said of them, if Rosie built it, it was done right.

    Edited add on: The room next to the dining room was called, "A Lunch Room," or "Lunch Counter." The one I referred to as a sandwich bar. Everything Mr. Harvey did was done with Dignity and Class. How he treated his employees...well...most of those stories died with the Harvey Girls.
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2019
  13. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Pullman Maids, here's a link and story of the All But Forgotten Pullman Maids.
    It's a short read but does confirm these fine ladies once performed various functions on Pullmans Finest.

    I couldn't resist and had to do some research.
    The link tells the story well and I won't repeat it here.
     
  14. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Rick, thank you for this insight. My Mother and I never encountered a Pullman Maid when we traveled by Pullman in 1945-'47. So I never knew they existed.
     
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  15. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    You were riding trains before I was thought of. Guessing you are about to tip 80 years old. I know that wasn't nice.

    I don't know in what era or time frame they actually performed various functions. It would seem to me there could be problems. I had friends who said their grandmother worked for and rode the trains helping the passengers. They never said in what capacity.

    Santa Fe, and I say this carefully. According to family stories... they hired candy, newspaper and cigarette vendors. They would walk the train selling their wares. Talk of a barber, who had a roomette in the dorm car. Usually a combine being part baggage and passenger occupancy. There may of been hairdressers for the ladies but I can't prove that. Heard tales of nurses riding for a while. Santa Fe hired Native Americans, to weave stories of Native Lore. Pointing out various points of interest along the way. In front of some of Santa Fe's train stations. Native Ladies would sell artifacts while sitting out in the hot sun without shade or shelter. Nothing lasted for very long as conditions didn't improve and labor costs begin to rise.

    Of course there were ladies who rode trains often referred to as working girls. Frowned upon by most railroads. These girls found work nonetheless. Just look at the fun they were having.
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2019
  16. Jenna

    Jenna TrainBoard Member

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    If you are ever interested in writing a blog article about the Harvey Girls...it would be a great way for you to share this wealth of information you have...especially the stories from your family.
     
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  17. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jenna,

    Thank you for the suggestion.

    For the most part nobody believes the stories I tell and waves me off as...well...whatever, it is they wave people off for. Then you have to consider the mountain people, I hung out with and their peculiar personalities. Kind of a hard core group of know it all's and I was messing with their reality. Thank-you and I'll give it some consideration.

    Actually, your suggestion is valid. What I'd like to do is get together with other family survivors such as myself. Who had Ladies from their families who served as Harvey Girls. Perhaps collectively we could put together enough information for a blog.

    Most of the dear souls I was able to talk to have left us behind. I've learned some things from aberrations but don't wish to count on such. I can explain this at another time and place if anyone really wants to know. Here's a hint, I can't prove it.

    Just a thought: There's always someone out there that knows more then I do. If you know what I mean? The collective approach and we could make this work.

    So to all the Mother's past and present. To those who participate here on TrainBoard.com, Happy Mother's Day!!! :love::LOL::cool:
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2019
  18. Jenna

    Jenna TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for considering this!
     
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