The transcontinental railroad chronicles the construction of the railroad that connected americas coasts. Once the railroad was in place, it proved a boon to building up the american west, especially the southwest and pacific northwest in places like nevada, utah, wyoming, colorado, oregon and washington. Transcontinental railroad beginning with designs for the first steam engine and ending with the division of sioux territory. The transcontinental railroad history of railroads and maps. If you want to know the history of the transcontinental railroad, this book is for you. The first spikes were driven in 1863, in the midst of the civil war. Building a transcontinental railroad, writes the prolific historian stephen ambrose, was second only to the abolition of slavery on lincolns presidential agenda. List of books and articles about transcontinental railroad. With engaging pictures and text, this nonfiction narrative brings this part of history to life, including the key events and key players involved. It contains original scholarship and fresh interpretations that set the standard in railway research. The overland route photo from transcontinental railroad.
Central pacific railroad construction in the 1860s. The first transcontinental railroad in the united states was built in the 1860s. Watch the transcontinental railroad american experience. May 09, 2019 gordon chang, a stanford professor of history, writes in his fascinating new book released earlier this week, the ghosts of gold mountain. The strike is, like so much of the chinese railroad history, not included in many accounts of the railroad nor in most of the accounts of american labor history. In 1845, asa whitney presented to congress a plan for the federal government to subsidize the building of a railroad from the mississippi river to the pacific. Here are carefully selected articles, photographs, and art. As they stretched the rails in every direction, the railroad moguls of the nineteenth century changed the face of america forever. Transcontinental railroad books in print and videotapes. The possibility of railroads connecting the atlantic and pacific coasts was discussed in the congress even before the treaty with england which settled the question of the oregon boundary in 1846. The transcontinental railroad 1869 printable minibooks.
In 1862, president lincoln signed the pacific railway actand the race to complete the transcontinental railroad was on. Tells the story of how the transcontinental railroad was built during the 1800s. The pacific railroad surveys 18531855 consisted of a series of explorations of the american west to find possible routes for a transcontinental railroad across north america. But it was not easy to get workers to do such arduous labor.
In his authoritative book, the men who built the transcontinental railroad, 18631869. Nothing like it in the world, author stephen ambrose notes that lincoln stated during a campaign speech, no other improvement. Transcontinental railroad this pbs take on the transcontinental railroad brings ample detail and great archival material, along with the commentary of some of our best railroad historians. Mar 06, 2020 the transcontinental railroad find out how the transcontinental railroad transformed america into one nation in this history channel video. The construction of a transcontinental railroad was one of the united states greatest technological achievements. America forgot the chinese workers who built the railroad. I dont know if this is the correct forum but i will try it anyway. From across the sea, they came by the thousands, escaping war and. It was 1,776 miles long and served for the atlantic and pacific coasts of the united states to be connected by rail for the first time in history. If you wanted to wade into the quagmire of corrupt railroad financeand, admittedly, thats a pretty big ifwhites article would be a good place to begin.
Most modern trains are powered by diesel locomotives or by electricity supplied by overhead wires or additional rails, although. History of union pacific railroad by marie cahill and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Although ambrose was a retired university history professor, the book was written as a nonacademic. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum virtual bookstore. As part of my nearconstant study of all things american history, i listened to the audible edition of the transcontinental railroad. Gordon chang, a stanford professor of history, writes in his fascinating new book released earlier this week, the ghosts of gold mountain. It talks about the transcontinental railroad from the perspective of a young girl whose father was a chinese laborer.
The first transcontinental railroad was built crossing the western half of america and it was pieced together between 1863 and 1869. Nothing like it in the world is a narrative history of the planning and construction of the pacific railroad. Customers who viewed this item also viewed these digital items. The iron road this is the earlier and lesser of two pbs american experience films on the transcontinental railroad. Chinese railroad workers were almost written out of history. Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate locomotive, or from individual motors in selfpropelled multiple units. The transcontinental railroad history of railroads and. May 09, 2019 after a long and winding history, that car is now the centerpiece of an exhibition at the nevada state railroad museum in carson city that commemorates 150 years since the transcontinental. Financing americas first transcontinental railroad. It was the physical, material process of a young nation growing into its own vast territory and grand sense of destiny, and the building of that railroad encompassed many of the great issues of the day. Lathams the transcontinental railroad, 186269 watts, 1973.
In 1862, the pacific railroad act chartered the central pacific and the union pacific railroad companies, tasking them with building a transcontinental railroad that would link the united states from east to west. The linda hall library transcontinental railroad website was created with generous support from the bnsf burlington northern santa fe foundation. Completed in 1869 with the driving of the famous golden spike at promontory summit, utah, the transcontinental railroad revolutionized transportation across the united states and fundamentally changed the american west, sparking social, economic, environmental, and political change. Stereoviews, engravings, maps, and documents are treasures of western americana that illustrate the history of the first transcontinental railroad, built from sacramento, california over the sierra nevada mountains, the to end of track at the golden spike ceremony at promontory, utah where the rails were joined on may 10, 1869 with the union. However, it is my hope that the information presented here provides a brief synopsis on the topic. Through an ambitious program of land grants and lowinterest government loans, he encouraged entrepreneurs such as californias big fourcharles crocker. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Kwan and other chinese americans are pushing for these workers some of whom lost their lives building the western portion of the railroad to get more than a token mention in history books. List of books and articles about railroad history online. Back in 1869, the central pacific and union pacific railroad worked tirelessly under brutal conditions to drive the last spike, the golden spike, at promontory summit, utah territory, to complete the transcontinental railroad. May 09, 2019 kwan and other chinese americans are pushing for these workers some of whom lost their lives building the western portion of the railroad to get more than a token mention in history books.
The expeditions included surveyors, scientists, and artists and resulted in an immense body of data covering at least 400,000 square miles 1,000,000 km 2 on the american west. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum. The site offers visitors a brief history of the building of the transcontinental railroad as well as information on the history and technology of 19th century railroads. By the middle of the century, the benefits brought by the host of advances of the industrial age were gradually beginning to reach america, which soon d. The transcontinental railroad find out how the transcontinental railroad transformed america into one nation in this history channel video. However, in the mid1880s a standard gauge of 4 ft 8 12 in. In 1864, a tracklaying crew from the central pacific railroad came eastward across the plain from sacramento, building the western half of the nations first transcontinental railroad. Building the transcontinental railroad ebook railroad history.
After a long and winding history, that car is now the centerpiece of an exhibition at the nevada state railroad museum in carson city that commemorates 150 years since the transcontinental. Ambrose has told a great historical story in this book and left this reader with a. The men of the transcontinental railroad beyond the. May 10, 2019 despite chinese workers contributions to building americas historic infrastructure project, chang says their history is often forgotten. First transcontinental railroad central pacific railroad.
Join me as we lay down the tracks of learning by covering the basics on the transcontinental railroad built during the 1860s. Building the transcontinental railroad asian america only 5 left in stock more on the way. The print book contains 48 pages and includes pictures. The roles of the associates and the central pacifics construction of the western leg of americas first transcontinental railroad are laid out in detail in the past three articles. Mar 27, 2019 building the transcontinental railroad history of america linda thompson railroad history america building social studies middle school connect magazines books more information. The makers of transcontinental railroad traveled back and forth across the original route of the railroad, looking for locations, stories, and images. The railroad act of 1862 put government support behind the transcontinental railroad and helped create the union pacific railroad, which subsequently joined with the central pacific at promontory, utah, on may 10, 1869, and signaled the linking of the continent.
In 1862, the central pacific and the union pacific railroad companies began building a transcontinental railroad that would link the united states from east to. The term was widely used when referring to laborers. They crossed a small rail line the california central railroad that linked the young towns of lincoln and folsom, and gave the spot the imaginative name of junction. History of the transcontinental railroad concise summary. Many books on the railroad focus on the big four and. Nowhere in history was this process quite so dramatic as it was in the building of the first transcontinental railroad. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 1863 1869. In the beginning of the nineteenth century, america was waiting to be explored, and several thousand adventurous people accepted the challenge. Tales of the race to complete the transcontinental railroad are often full of. Building the transcontinental railroad history of america. In the sequel coming december 2014 to my historical novel new garden, the construction of the western leg of the transcontinental railroad serves as the primary backdrop for the story. The transcontinental railroad in childrens books central.
This week marks 150 years since the completion of the transcontinental railroad, and several days worth of events are planned. The story of the underground railroad tangled history by steven otfinoski and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In 1862, the central pacific and the union pacific railroad companies began building a transcontinental railroad that would link the united states from east to west. This book provides a fastpaced and exciting look at many aspects of the building of the transcontinental railroad. Apr 17, 2014 the roles of the associates and the central pacifics construction of the western leg of americas first transcontinental railroad are laid out in detail in the past three articles. Chief promoter of a transcontinental railroad was asa whitney, a new york merchant active in the china trade who was obsessed with the idea of a railroad to the pacific. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869. Learn more about railroad history with this selection of books available in the museum. David bains meticulously researched and highly detailed empire express is the best modern history of the first transcontinental railroad highly recommended. Looking for a good book about the transcontinental railroad. The book is similar in organization and content to frank b. Descendants honor chinese workers on railroads 150th year. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869 paperback november 6, 2001.
Transcontinental railroad, united states building the world. As a result, this article could, in no way, come close to those works. Its a relatively short reflection on the period of time wherein the railroad was conceived, begun, accomplished, and completed. Railroad track had to be laid over 2,000 miles of rugged terrain, including mountains of solid granite. The northern pacific railroad, the sioux, and the panic of 1873 by m. They could now travel faster, safer, and cheaper by train. Mar 25, 2014 building the first transcontinental railroad was the largest engineering and technology undertaking of that time in u.
Chinese labor was suggested, as they had already helped build the california central railroad, the railroad from sacramento to marysville and the san jose railway. Iron rails, iron men, and the race to link the nation. The men of the transcontinental railroad beyond the history. They crossed a small rail line the california central railroad that linked the young towns of lincoln an. When construction first began the chinese were considered too delicate to build a railroad so they were given light duty jobs, like filling dump carts. The history of the transcontinental railroad trains magazine. In 1845, asa whitney presented to congress a plan for the federal government to. A groundbreaking, breathtaking history of the chinese workers who built the transcontinental railroad, helping to forge modern america only to disappear into the shadows of history until now. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. There have been several excellent books published over the years that thoroughly cover the transcontinental railroad subject. While the associates risked their personal wealth in accomplishing their task, the project required far more in resources than they could muster from individual investors.
The first transcontinental railroad known originally as the pacific railroad and later as the overland route was a 1,912mile 3,077 km continuous railroad line constructed between 1863 and 1869 that connected the existing eastern u. History westward expansion the first transcontinental railroad stretched from the east coast of the united states to the west coast. For many years railroad tracks had varied in width, so that cars could not pass from one line to another. Railroad history 220 springsummer 2019 coverage of golden spike 150, including what the transcontinental railroad wrought, by maury klein, and a firsthand account of riding the line shortly after it was completed. Bains bookthe product of a 14year effortis the authoritative account and will probably remain so for a.
Building the transcontinental railroad history of america linda thompson railroad. Chinese laborers had some of the most dangerous and challenging tasks, but not at the beginning. The transcontinental railroad made sheridans strategy of total war much more effective. Over the next seven years, the two companies would race toward each other from sacramento. A train is a connected series of vehicles that move along a permanent track to transport freight or passengers from one place to another. The transcontinental railroad turning points in american.
Land of the iron dragon a novel about the chinese who labored to build the first transcontinental railroad in america. Can anyone recommend an accurate book about the transcontinental railroad. No longer would people travel in long wagon trains that took months to reach california. Financing americas first transcontinental railroad beyond. In california, most people wanted to work near home and go back to their familys dinner table at night. Chinese railroad workers were almost written out of. Looking for a good book about the transcontinental railroad o gauge railroading on line forum. Despite their sacrifice, the railroad chinese were tossed aside after the railroad work. Despite chinese workers contributions to building americas historic infrastructure project, chang says their history is often forgotten. The building of the transcontinental railroad nathan. Slideshow containing the overland route fullsize image railroad historyamerican west research guides at southeastern oklahoma state university exhibit of photographic history museum libguides. List of books and articles about transcontinental railroad online.
Building the first transcontinental railroad was the largest engineering and technology undertaking of that time in u. Originally thought to be too small to complete such a momentous task, charles crocker of central pacific pointed out. Most important, it offers full text access to the linda hall librarys. May 18, 2015 join me as we lay down the tracks of learning by covering the basics on the transcontinental railroad built during the 1860s. The format makes it especially useful and appealing as a supplementary resource for social studies research. May 14, 2019 it was a seminal moment in american history. Mar 27, 2019 building the transcontinental railroad ebook mar 27, 2019 building the transcontinental railroad ebook stay safe and healthy. The transcontinental railroad was the biggest government construction project in u.
In the mid19th century, it was estimated that 30 milion to 60 million buffalo roamed the plains. It is extremely detailed and seems to be the best researched of many books on. The building of the transcontinental railroad books. I want one that tells the story accurately from beginning of the railroad to the completion. Building the transcontinental railroad ebook railroad. Where the buffalo no longer roamed history smithsonian. From across the sea, they came by the thousands, escaping war and poverty in southern china to seek their fortunes in america. The expeditions included surveyors, scientists, and artists and resulted in an immense body of data covering at least 400,000 square miles 1,000,000 km 2 on the.
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