Chinese railroad workers were almost written out of history. No longer would people travel in long wagon trains that took months to reach california. We close out the sesquicentennial year of transcontinental railroading with a pair of features about the years after 1869. Ambrose gathers the story as presented by many secondary sources and peppers it with great quotes and. A recital of the list of important engineering projects with which he was associated through more than half a century and the many honors bestowed upon him may not be so interesting to the readers of the first transcontinental railroad as is a word as to his. History of union pacific railroad by marie cahill and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The transcontinental railroad in childrens books westward. Railroad track had to be laid over 2,000 miles of rugged terrain, including mountains. History now, the online journal of the gilder lehrman institute, features essays by the nations top historians and provides the latest in american history scholarship for teachers, students, and. 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.
The building of the transcontinental railroad books. 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. Most modern trains are powered by diesel locomotives or by electricity supplied by overhead wires or additional rails, although. This lesson includes guided notes that students can use to follow along while you teach. The history of the union pacific railroad stretches from 1862 to the present. John debo galloway will ever be rated as one of the great engineers who had an important part in the development of western america. The history of the transcontinental railroad trains magazine. Best modern book on the history of the transcontinental railroad. Richard white is the margaret byrne professor emeritus of american history at stanford university. Union pacific rail road, union pacific railway, union pacific railroad mark i, and union pacific railroad. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum virtual bookstore.
The first transcontinental crossing a continent railroad was completed in 1869. I want one that tells the story accurately from beginning of the railroad to the completion. 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. Military railroad during the civil war, and in 1868, he set out to document the union pacifics journey to. 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. As would be expected from stephen ambrose, nothing like it in the world is a thorough, informative and entertaining account of the building of the transcontinental railroad.
Most school children learned that the transcontinental railroad was completed may 10, 1869, at promontory point, where the central pacific and the union pacific met, and where the golden spike was driven. 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. As part of my nearconstant study of all things american history, i listened to the audible edition of the transcontinental railroad. In 1864 congress had granted 40 alternate sections of public land to the np along its right of way in the territories of dakota, montana, idaho, and washington as well as 20 alternate sections in the states of oregon and minnesota, for a total of some 14 million acres. Despite chinese workers contributions to building americas historic infrastructure project, chang says their history is often forgotten. Nowhere in history was this process quite so dramatic as it was in the building of the first transcontinental railroad. Uprr remained under partial federal control until the 1890s. The iron road this is the earlier and lesser of two pbs american experience films on the transcontinental railroad.
For operations of the current railroad, see union pacific railroad. A transcontinental railroad or transcontinental railway is a contiguous network railroad trackage that crosses a continental land mass with terminals at different oceans or continental borders. Along with the development of the atomic bomb, the digging of the panama canal, and landing the first men on the moon, the construction of a transcontinental railroad was one of the united states greatest technological achievements. I dont know if this is the correct forum but i will try it anyway. The two lines met at promontory summit, utah, and on may 10, 1869, a golden spike joined the two railways, thus completing the first transcontinental railroad. Join me as we lay down the tracks of learning by covering the basics on the transcontinental railroad built during the 1860s. The first transcontinental railroad probably was the railroad that was built across the isthmus of panama. The northern pacific railroad, the sioux, and the panic of 1873 by m. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. 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. Apr 30, 2020 and even though they made major contributions to the construction of the transcontinental railroad, these 15,000 to 20,000 chinese immigrants have been largely ignored by history. List of books and articles about transcontinental railroad. The forgotten history of the chinese who helped build.
For many years railroad tracks had varied in width, so that cars could not pass from one line to another. The linda hall library transcontinental railroad website was created with generous support from the bnsf burlington northern santa fe foundation. 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. Over the next seven years, the two companies would race toward each other from sacramento. The transcontinental railroad 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. Nothing like it in the world is a narrative history of the planning and construction of the pacific railroad. Russell had been the official photographer of the u. They could now travel faster, safer, and cheaper by train. It is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroadthe investors who. May 14, 2019 it was a seminal moment in american history.
The transcontinental railroad 1869 printable minibooks. The transcontinental railroad history of railroads and. A k12 teacher training workshop will be organized by the ucla historygeography project in conjunction with the program. Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate locomotive, or from individual motors in selfpropelled multiple units. The first transcontinental railroad known originally as the pacific railroad and later as the overland route was a 1,912mile 3,077km continuous railroad line constructed between 1863 and 1869 that connected the existing eastern u.
The transcontinental railroad and millions of other books are available for instant access. Pony express history in the best childrens books k8. The first transcontinental railroad, originally called the pacific railroad, was a railroad built in the united states between 1863 and 1869 that connected the western part of america with its eastern part. History now, the online journal of the gilder lehrman institute, features essays by the nations top historians and provides the latest in american history scholarship for teachers, students, and general readers. 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. Btw, the first truly transcontinental railroad in north america was the canadian pacific or at least almost.
See more ideas about central pacific railroad, union pacific railroad and history. Building the transcontinental railroad asian america only 5 left in stock more on the way. Transcontinental railroads in and near the united states by 1887. Tales of the race to complete the transcontinental railroad are often full of. Building the transcontinental railroad ebook in 2020. This book provides a fastpaced and exciting look at many aspects of the building of the transcontinental railroad. Building the first transcontinental railroad was the largest engineering and technology undertaking of that time in u. Can anyone recommend an accurate book about the transcontinental railroad. List of books and articles about transcontinental railroad online. This overview of a large piece of rosevilles history, the railroad, was written by leonard duke davis who authored a more extensive version in his 1964 book from trail to rail.
Alternatively, a traveler could hazard a six week sea voyage around cape horn, or sail to central america and cross the isthmus of panama by. As they stretched the rails in every direction, the railroad moguls of the nineteenth century changed the face of america forever. Such networks can be via the tracks of either a single railroad or over those owned or. If you want to know the history of the transcontinental railroad, this book is for you. The forgotten history of the chinese who helped build america. The workshop will introduce strategies for incorporating the history of the transcontinental railroad workers into the california social studies framework, with particular focus on oral histories and ethnic studies. 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.
It is extremely detailed and seems to be the best researched of many books on. Its been 150 years since two railroads were joined together to form the first transcontinental. Most school children learned that the transcontinental railroad was completed may 10, 1869, at promontory point, where the central pacific and the union. 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. 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. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. List of books and articles about railroad history online. Building the transcontinental railroad history of america linda thompson railroad. The transcontinental railroad, laid across the united states during the 1860s, remains the very epitome of contradiction. Iron rails, iron men, and the race to link the nation. The building of the transcontinental railroad graphic history by nathan olson, charles barnett iii, et al. Many books on the railroad focus on the big four and.
The opening up of the north american railroad developed and changed the american west more than anything else. 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. The pacific railway a brief history of building the transcontinental railroad. Built by the central pacific railroad of california and the union pacific railroad, it. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869 paperback november 6, 2001. May 10, 2019 the forgotten history of the chinese who helped build americas railroads.
Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Explore another american experience program about train history. 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 from across the sea, they came by the thousands, escaping war and poverty in southern china to seek their fortunes in america. With engaging pictures and text, this nonfiction narrative brings this part of history to life, including the key events and key players involved. 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. In the beginning of the nineteenth century, america was waiting to be explored, and several thousand adventurous people accepted the challenge. Jan 02, 2020 this transcontinental railroad powerpoint lesson is the perfect addition to your westward expansion unit. However, in the mid1880s a standard gauge of 4 ft 8 12 in. Transcontinental railroad books in print and videotapes. Growing up in sacramento, paulette liang would hear stories from her mother about their ancestor, lum ah chew, who arrived in 1860 in california to try his luck in the gold fields and then to work for. Central pacific railroad construction in the 1860s. The building of the transcontinental line across the vast mountains, plains, and deserts of the west was, undoubtedly, a spectacle to behold, and this is the book that puts you there. Chinese railroad workers were almost written out of. The laws were passed as war measures to forge closer ties with california and oregon, which otherwise took six months to reach.
A train is a connected series of vehicles that move along a permanent track to transport freight or passengers from one place to another. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. 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. Passenger travel via train began in the 1830s in eastern markets, reaching midwestern lines in the 1860s.
Tells the story of how the transcontinental railroad was built during the 1800s. 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. A unit study by diyhsr may 10, 2012 april 27, 2020 amid all the stories of the golden spike and the crosscountry race between the union pacific and the central pacific, many have lost sight of the facts behind the building of the transcontinental railroad. American railroad american railroad history dk find out. Most important, it offers full text access to the linda hall librarys. The forgotten history of the chinese who helped build americas railroads. Ghosts of gold mountain the epic story of the chinese who built the transcontinental railroad. Railroad history 221 fallwinter 2019 the current issue of railroad history.
Through an ambitious program of land grants and lowinterest government loans, he encouraged entrepreneurs such as californias big fourcharles crocker. 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. He is the author of many acclaimed books in american western and environmental history, including railroaded. The story of the underground railroad tangled history by steven otfinoski and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. On the one hand, it was a triumph of engineering skills over thousands of miles of rough terrain, but on the other hand, it drained the natural resources in those places nearly dry. Navigate to the global search form search landmark. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum. Maury klein summarizes his revisionist take on jay gould, while don hofsommer examines the efforts of the northern lines to colonize their. Its a relatively short reflection on the period of time wherein the railroad was conceived, begun, accomplished, and completed. The print book contains 48 pages and includes pictures. 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. History of truckee railroads since very early on, railroads have played a major part in the development of truckee. In 1862, president lincoln signed the pacific railway actand the race to complete the transcontinental railroad was on.
Jan 2, 2020 building the transcontinental railroad ebook jan 2, 2020 building the transcontinental railroad ebook stay safe and healthy. Looking for a good book about the transcontinental railroad. David bains meticulously researched and highly detailed empire express is the best modern history of the first transcontinental railroad highly recommended. A primary source history of americas first coasttocoast railroad primary sources in american history. Before the advent of the transcontinental railroad, a journey across the continent to the western states meant a dangerous six month trek over rivers, deserts, and mountains. The first transcontinental railroad was built crossing the western half of america and it was pieced together between 1863 and 1869. The original company, union pacific rail road uprr, was created and funded by the federal government by laws passed in 1862 and 1864. Americas first transcontinental railroad, which was finished may 10th, 1869, established an important train yard in downtown truckee. Tales of the race to complete the transcontinental railroad are often full of interesting characters and. As an official cooperating organization with state parks, the nonprofit california state railroad museum foundation is dedicated to enhancing the educational and interpretive programs of the california state railroad museum and railtown 1897 state historic park. Building a transcontinental railroad, writes the prolific historian stephen ambrose, was second only to the abolition of slavery on lincolns presidential agenda. It is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroadthe investors who risked their businesses and money. In 1863 the union pacific rr began construction from omaha, nebr.
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