Pullman History
Pullman City, the lively Western town, is situated at the foot of the Bavarian Forest, in the centre of Europe, close to the borders of Austria and the Czech Republic. It is easy to get away from everyday stress nestled into a stunning landscape and right next to the climatic health resort of Eging am See.
Experience a non-violent journey back in time to the “Wild West”. Time goes by far too quickly with a varied show programme, lots of attractions and when you are experiencing nature and animals up close. Great entertainment is especially offered for families with children. Children's playgrounds, covered wagon rides, pony rides over the whole grounds and panning for gold at Goldwash Camp guarantee plenty of fun. By the way, the trip by mini steam railway or the ride on the mechanical bull are included in the entry ticket and therefore free.
Do you fancy a day's ride in a Western saddle on a quarter horse with a unique panorama? Or saving your energy during the day and putting your best foot forward in a Western dance to live country music in the Music Hall? There's also romance by the campfire with a juicy steak on the grill, cowboy or cowgirl, everything is up to you.
Anyone who sorts out one of the more than 500 accommodation options early, e.g. in the noble "Palace Hotel" in the middle of Main Street or in one of the rustic log cabins in Golddigger Town or in the authentic area, can fully savour the flair and ambiance of the Western town day and night. Have you planned your next club trip yet? No? Then give us a call and your customised event will be planned professionally, regardless of whether it's a company or family celebration. We can create an exciting stay for small and large groups with different attractions and special programmes, so that your trip will be an unforgettable experience. Guided tours through the park are also possible.
Pullman City means taking part in adventures and experiencing everyday life of cowboys and Indians up close. “So get yourself down here, either with or without your cowboy hat and immerse yourself into the so-called “Wild West” and leave your everyday stress behind.
This philosophical saying was coined by “Chief Seattle”, the chief of the Indian Duwarish tribe in North America. Deep meaningful words, which a man called Peter Meier adopted as his life's maxim. Peter Meier was no less than the spiritual father, planner and builder of Pullman City, the adventurous Western town.
Together with his partner and friend Sepp Schöffmann, he has managed the fortunes of Pullman City in Eging am See in the Bavarian Forest for many years as the owner. The world of cowboys and Indians has fascinated him since his childhood, but he was mainly taken by cowboy work and Western riding. Even as a child, Peter Meier harboured the wish of one day building his own entire Western town. This desire gradually developed over time. His dream and his life ended on 21st May 2003. But during his life Peter had already created his own memorial with Pullman City, the Western town.
The Pullman City story began at the start of the 1990s when Peter Meier and his friend Wolfgang Hagenberger discovered the “Mercedes” among Western saddles in a riding sports shop, the “Pullman Saddle”. This splendid saddle is manufactured by hand by Continental Saddlery in the US federal state of Indiana and has a lifelong guarantee. With awe and pride he presented this top quality saddle to his friends, with whom he shared his passion for Westerns and soft spot for Western riding. His enthusiasm had such a lasting effect that it didn't take long before five more of his Western friends had acquired this saddle themselves. What could be more logical than founding a “Pullman Saddle Owners” club. No sooner said than done, the ”Pullman Saddle Club e.V.” was founded in 1992.
Peter Meier and his friends celebrated at every opportunity and so it was soon decided that they wanted to organise their own event to do with Western horses and riding. It was to be an event for both young and old and familiarise visitors with the special flair of the Country and Western scene...
A festival that was held for the first time in August 1993. Back then none of the six club members had any idea that they were setting a ball rolling with this event.
The concept was astonishingly simple. The cowboys were entertained with live music and an attractive show programme and the children could while away the time with pony rides or the steam railway and different carousels. However, the main focus of the festival was the country culture and Western riding. Amateurs from all over Germany arrived and guaranteed a really special atmosphere. They erected their tipis and lodges and experienced the family feel of this special festival up close with the romance of the campfire. A whole load of riders also arrived for this event in Eging am See. Paddocks were erected and many people enjoyed sleeping outside under the stars next to their horses like cowboys. Every day of the four day festival was filled with a varied and interesting Western riding show programme: trail riding for everyone, cutting, lasso disciplines and Western riding impressed the visitors.
The success of 1993 confirmed to the ”Pullmen”, that they had really hit the mark with the “Western Horse”. Despite all the hard work, damaged vocal chords and all the other side-effects of a demanding festival one thing was clear: the "Western Horse" should become a tradition. In the next two years, the festival developed into a real crowd puller and there were generally 30,000 visitors over four days.
However, in 1995 Peter Meier and his friends discovered that the existing grounds were far too small to meet the festival's requirements. They therefore went in search of larger grounds and soon found what they were looking for: the grounds of the former fairy-tale park with an area of 200,000 m², close to the previous site was for sale.
Peter Meier now saw the possibility of fulfilling his dream. The success of the Western Horse events spoke for itself. As many people obviously longed to immerse themselves in “America's freedom and history” for a short time. As the owner of a construction company, Peter Meier had the best prerequisites on his side: a superb construction team, great ideas and the skill of drawing plans. He was also able to enthuse his partner, Sepp Schöffmann for the idea of a Western town. The third man in the union was Wolfgang Hagenberger, a farrier with an incredible talent for organisation. They set off together on the bumpy road of overcoming bureaucracy. They had great support from Konrad Kobler, Member of the Bavarian State Government.
The “Glorious Three” fought resolutely to fulfil Peter Meier's dream. All the Western town's buildings were constructed within just five months, thanks to the idealistic almost superhuman dedication of 180 men and women. One of the most beautiful adventure Western towns in Germany emerged: Pullman City.
Many people will ask now: what does Pullman actually mean? Well here's the story: Mr. George Mortimer Pullman was born on 03 March 1831 in Brocton (NY). In 1864 Mr. Pullman built the first corridor carriage for the Northern Pacific railway, with first class, splendid interior design (Pullman Wagon) as well as a luxury travel carriage for the President of the United States. The “Pullman” name therefore became a quality title. For example, Mercedes Benz used this name for its state car, the 600 Series and Continental Saddlery for its splendid saddle. Mr. George Mortimer Pullman died on 19.10.1897 in Chicago and was laid to rest there.
Back to Pullman City. The absolute hit with the show programme concept in this Western town and the town regulations was the ban on shooting and the non-violence. Peter, Sepp and Wolfgang agreed that Pullman City should be an attraction and holiday destination for the whole family. The show programme was made up of comedy magic, American history with the priority on authenticity, Western riding and lots of fun for children. Trigger-happy cowboys, duelling gunslingers, bank robberies and hanging scenes at high noon did not belong here. Peter, Sepp and Wolfgang stayed true to their decision despite scepticism and criticism and this consistent loyalty to the concept soon showed resounding success.
The Pullman City adventure Western town opened its doors on 16 May 1997 in Eging am See near Passau, at the foot of the Bavarian Forest and more than 4.5 million young and old guests have been welcomed since then. A success that nobody would have dreamed at the opening. Today more than 500 accommodation options in log cabins, Fort Pullman, tipis and lodges as well as the sophisticated “Palace Hotel” invite you to stay for one or more days. The themed gastronomy, saloon and large Music Hall provide superbly for guests well-being. There are also opportunities for plenty of shopping.
The great show attraction is the “American History Show” on Main Street with colourful scenes from American history with a focus on Texas. A real cattle drive, Hunting Wolf and his free-running bisons and loads of action enchant the young and old. A unique magic show, spectacular Western stunt show, Indian culture and dances round off the diverse programme. Pullman City has had its own Trickriding troupe for two years, who performed dynamic stunts and acrobatics on galloping horses. Here, you can shed your everyday load and immerse yourself in America's past, roughly from 1860 to 1890.
A non-violent journey in time, which you won't forget quickly and will want to repeat as quickly as possible. The large number of regular guests, who visit Pullman City several times a year illustrate that this is often the case.
Pullman City · Ruberting 30 · 94535 Eging am See
Tel. +49(0)8544-97490 · info@pullmancity.de
Öffnungszeiten: Täglich von 10.00 bis 01.00 Uhr