Located at the confluence of three creeks, amid the rich agricultural soil of Eastern Washington's Palouse region, Pullman seemed destined to flourish. From its founding in the 1880s, growth was spurred by the discovery of artesian wells, its selection as the location of the State Agricultural College, and the building of rail lines through the town. Pullman, named for railroad car manufacturer George Pullman, became a thriving center of commerce, agriculture, and education. Today Pullman remains a vibrant commercial agricultural center, built upon wheat, peas, and lentils, with a downtown nestled among four hills. Pullman is home to cutting edge technology companies and a major research institution, Washington State University. Its rich heritage in agriculture, education, and technology guarantees its future as a highly successful 21st century city.