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east. The South Suburban region was incorporated into Chicago in 1889
during the period of aggressive city expansion in preparation for the 1893
World Fair. This region includes the neighborhoods of Roseland, Pullman,
South Holland, Dolton, Fernwood, Gano, Kensington, Riverdale, Rosemoor,
and West Pullman.

The first permanent settlement in the nearby Calumet region was made in
the early 1840’s by a small colony of Dutch immigrants. They came
directly from South Holland seeking a better way of life. Although they
retained their Dutch religious practices, they were not as strongly
motivated by religious politics as were the Dutch settlers of Michigan and
Iowa. They were mainly farmers and quickly purchased plots of land
throughout the area. Most of them chose to live in what they called "Low
Prairie" (South Holland). A few years later, another group of Dutch from
North Holland settled a few miles north in "High Prairie," later known as
Roseland. The Gano neighborhood contained mostly Friesian immigrants.
The greater Chicago area eventually held America's largest concentration
of Dutch and direct descendants, some 250,000 strong. Most Americans
remained unaware of how many Hollanders were in Chicago, partly
because the Dutch were hard working, kept a low profile, and had very
little crime compared to the other immigrant communities.

The South Suburban area prospered as a mainly farming community until
1880, when George M. Pullman moved his railroad passenger car company
and its employees nearby and founded the picturesque company town of
Pullman. Many Dutch farmers sold their holdings to Pullman for large
profits, and the land was then subdivided for businesses, churches,
residences and schools. This development enticed the City of Chicago to
annex the region in 1889. The suburban Dutch avoided this industrial
neighborhood. A few years later, Pullman became infamous for the way
his workers were held in debt-based servitude without any take-home pay.
The unhappy workers went on strike in 1894. With national controversy,
hundreds of Pinkerton agents crushed the strike by beating and shooting
the strikers. Courts later ordered Pullman to sell the town to the
residents.

The South Suburban area continued to grow and develop over the years
until the late 1950’s when many area residents began to move. The
Roseland area is now 98% Black American and the Dutch have moved to
other neighborhoods.

After the Poot family moved to Gano in March 1896, Will Poot was able to
live with his family and commute to his school and work. The streetcars
on State Street or the local rail line could make quick work of Will's 15-mile
trip from Gano to downtown Chicago. The rail trip cost between 10 and
20 cents each way. To save money, Will walked the two miles between
work and the Bible School in the downtown area. The University of
Chicago was located 6 miles south of the Loop, placing it midway between

- Chicago, College, and Marriage - page 5 -