The history and legacy of the first rail line spanning the united states. Transcontinental railroad printable minibooks, lesson plans and ideas. An interesting book about the big four in california and the impact they had on the building of the transcontinental railroad and on the development of california as a state. The transcontinental railroad, laid across the united states during the 1860s, remains the very epitome of contradiction. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 1863 1869. Andrew j russellcourtesy union pacific railroad museum. For objectivists, ambroses work will offer a journey into a more heroic time. Nothing like it in the world is a narrative history of the planning and construction of the pacific railroad. The pacific railway act of 1862 called for the laying of track by the union pacific up and the central pacific cp, the former going west from omaha and the latter going east from sacramento. On may 10, 1869, at promontory summit, utah, a golden spike was hammered into the final tie.
In 1862, president lincoln signed the pacific railway actand the race to complete the transcontinental railroad was on. Aug 29, 2000 subtitled incorrectly the men who built the transcontinental railroad 1863 1869, i knew i was taking a risk reading an ambrose book, but the subject was compelling to me. 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. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 1863 1869 ambrose, stephen e.
Building the transcontinental railroad digital history. 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. A brief history of the pacific railway the transcontinental. The transcontinental railroad at 150 in pictures art. On its smaller, more accessible scale, ambroses book compares well.
The men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869 kindle edition. Dec 21, 2009 by the middle of the 19th century, the benefits brought by the host of advances of the industrial age were gradually beginning to reach america, which soon developed a spectacular achievement of. Obviously, not only did more mileage mean more territory but also greater revenue. The men who built the transcontinental railroad from 1863 1869 2000. On may 10, 1869, a golden spike was driven at promontory, utah, signaling. It connected the east and west coast of the united states paving the way for white settlers at the expense of. The transcontinental railroad was completed may 10, 1869, in promontory, utah, when the union pacific railroad of the east met the central pacific railroad of the west. Ambrose has told a great historical story in this book and left this reader with a desire to learn more about the subject. Transcontinental railroad, united states building the world. The construction of the railroad to the pacific represented, if not a turning point in the countrys history, at least an unmistakable sign that major changes were underway. One hundred and fifty years ago on may 10, 1869, university founder leland stanford drove the last spike that marked the. Central pacific railroad construction in the 1860s. One can truly understand and feel the muscle power it took to built such a road across the u.
The building of the transcontinental railroad graphic history. His book is rich with details although it also has a few editing lapses. Edward rothstein article notes that completion of transcontinental railroad in 1869 inspired grandiose hopes for social transformation. Its a relatively short reflection on the period of time wherein the railroad was conceived, begun, accomplished, and completed. First transcontinental railroad and stanford forever linked. It is packed with the history of the central pacific and union pacific when the u. First transcontinental railroad is completed history.
Three competing private companies built the railroad, one starting in the east, the other two in the west, allowing the railroad to meet in the middle. 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. The first transcontinental railroad in north america was worked during the 1860s, connecting the all around created railroad system of the east drift with quickly developing california. As part of my nearconstant study of all things american history, i listened to the audible edition of the transcontinental railroad. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum. For the first time in american history, railways linked together east and west, the. The men who built the transcontinental railroad, 18631869. The railroad took 7 years to complete and is a 1,907mile contiguous line. The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 was a major event in california history.
The men who built the transcontinental railroad from 1863. I dont know if this is the correct forum but i will try it anyway. Find out how the transcontinental railroad transformed america into one nation. I like trains, i like history, particularly 19th century american history, so i figured i would give this a try. The history of the union pacific railroad stretches from 1862 to the present. It is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroad the investors who risked their businesses and money. Looking for a good book about the transcontinental railroad. I like trains, i like history, particularly 19th century american history, so i. Railroad 18631869 men who built the transcontinental railroad, 186569 new ed by stephen e.
Americans had been enthusiastic railroaders long before the transcontinental. May 10, 1869 first transcontinental railroad is completed the. Many people said that building a single railroad that spanned the united states was impossible, but it was essential to expedite travel, communication, and business. Sometimes the text was a bit wooden and a bit of in depth analysis was lacking, but overall, it was an interesting read. Building the first transcontinental railroad is a book written by david haward. Presented in a comic book format, this mini book will engage readers at all levels and encourage them to delve more deeply into the mass movement west and how it shaped the country. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 1863 1869 kindle edition by ambrose, stephen e download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Subtitled incorrectly the men who built the transcontinental railroad 1863 1869, i knew i was taking a risk reading an ambrose book, but the subject was compelling to me. The history of the transcontinental railroad trains magazine. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 1863 1869 ebook written by stephen e. 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. Apr 15, 2016 this short is about the race to build the worlds first transcontinental railroad. For operations of the current railroad, see union pacific railroad. The transcontinental railroad audiobook by charles river. History of the transcontinental railroad spike 150. A smaller number of observers also recognized that the transcontinental railroad linked not only people and places but also moments in history. Nothing like it in the world, author stephen ambrose points out the central pacific would likely never have existed without the tireless efforts of theodore judah.
The transcontinental railroad, like the erie canal of a previous era, exponentially increased commerce and communication. They could now travel faster, safer, and cheaper by train. The new railroad was much safer and faster and finally linked the east with the west. The golden spike also known as the last spike is the ceremonial 17. The print book contains 48 pages and includes pictures. 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. List of books and articles about transcontinental railroad. Construction of the first transcontinental railroad and the meeting of the union and central pacific railroads at promontory summit not only contributed to the development of the west but, in fact, pulled the west coast ito the continental mainstream.
No longer would people travel in long wagon trains that took months to reach california. The completion of the transcontinental railroad in. The impact of the railroad california state university. This railroad connected the east coast to the west and played a major role in the development of the western united states. In his book detailing the transcontinental railroad s construction, the men who built the transcontinental railroad, 1863 1869. In this account of an unprecedented feat of engineering, vision, and courage, stephen e. Union pacific rail road, union pacific railway, union pacific railroad mark i, and union pacific railroad. It is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroadthe investors who. On april 9, 1869, congress established the meeting point in an area known as promontory summit, north of the great salt lake. In 1869, the presidents of the union pacific and central pacific railroads meet in promontory, utah, and.
In a new travelling exhibition, the significance of the transcontinental railroad, finished in 1869, will be celebrated in a series of images. I want one that tells the story accurately from beginning of the railroad to the completion. The transcontinental railroad had long been a dream for people. The impact of the transcontinental railroad on native. It is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroadthe investors. Instead of months, it took just 10 days to cross the country. The planning for a railroad that went from one coast to the other had been bounced around for more than a decade. How long history took, mike flanagan tells us that the building of the transcontinental railroad took five years, six months and fifteen days, between 1863 1869. In 1800s america, some saw the railroad as a symbol of modernity and national progress.
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. Jul 17, 2019 first transcontinental railroad is completed at promontory, utah, california governor leland stanford pounds in a ceremonial golden spike that completes the nations first transcontinental railway. May 08, 2019 may 8, 2019 first transcontinental railroad and stanford forever linked. Built the transcontinental railroad 18631869 paperback november 6, 2001. The transcontinental railroad was completed in 1835. Transcontinental railroad and the american west youtube. 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. For others, however, the transcontinental railroad undermined the sovereignty of native nations and threatened to destroy indigenous communities and their cultures as the railroad expanded. May 10 marks the day that the last spike for the transcontinental railroad was struck 150 years ago in promontory, utah. Learn about key events in history and their connections to today. Take a close look at the building of the transcontinental railroad and find out how the completion of the railroad was announced. Ambrose tells the story of the men who linked the east and west coasts. Abraham lincoln, who had worked as a riverboat pilot. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading nothing like it in the world.
The transcontinental railroad as the internet of 1869. He was a longtime professor of history at the university of new orleans and the author of many best selling volumes of. Includes background, vocabulary, book and web links, and activities to extend the learning. It connected the east and west coast of the united states. History westward expansion the first transcontinental railroad stretched from the east coast of the united states to the west coast. The transcontinental railroad at 150 in pictures east and west shaking hands at laying of last rail, 1869. The transcontinental railroad smithsonian libraries. 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 during the 1860s which connected the san francisco bay and council bluffs, iowa by rail. Heroism and the transcontinental railroad the atlas society.
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. Nothing like it in the world gives the account of an unprecedented feat of engineering, vision, and courage. The transcontinental railroad as the internet of 1869 the. A concept to link the nation by rail became a reality on may 10, 1869 and americas frontier was nearly history fig. The transcontinental railroad at 150 in pictures art and design. This is the absorbing story of the men, heroic and otherwise, who built the first transcontinental railroad in the years 18631869, and historian stephen ambrose is a great storyteller. By the middle of the 19th century, the benefits brought by the host of advances of the industrial age were gradually beginning to reach america, which soon developed a spectacular achievement of. Mark twains first book the innocents abroad is published. In 1869, when the principal crosscountry railroad was finished, california was to some degree isolated. Can anyone recommend an accurate book about the transcontinental railroad. 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. The transcontinental railroad back country byway represents an epic achievement in american history, linking east to west in the new nation. Ambrose offers an historical successor to his universally acclaimed undaunted courage nothing like it in the world is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroad.
Nothing like it in the world and millions of other books are available for instant. This is the absorbing story of the men, heroic and otherwise, who built the first transcontinental railroad in the years 1863 1869, and historian stephen ambrose is a great storyteller. With engaging pictures and text, this nonfiction narrative brings this part of history to life, including the key events and key players involved. The rails of the first transcontinental railroad were joined on may 10, 1869, with the ceremonial driving of the last spike at promontory summit, utah, after track was laid over a 2,826 km 1,756 mi gap between sacramento and omaha, nebraskacouncil bluffs, iowa in six years by the union pacific railroad and central pacific railroad. For all the adversity they suffered, the union pacific and central pacific workers were able to finish the railroad laying nearly 2,000 miles of trackby 1869.
Digital history id 3147 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. Jun 03, 2019 the transcontinental railroad was completed 150 years ago, in 1869. The history project at university of california, davis, invites k12 teachers from around the country to spend a week of summer 2019 learning about the transcontinental railroad from its conceptual origins, through feats of labor and engineering, and on to its social, political, and economic impact during and after the gilded age. The transcontinental railroad was built in six years almost entirely. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read nothing like it in the world. David bains meticulously researched and highly detailed empire express is the best modern history of the first transcontinental railroad highly recommended. Dec 11, 1999 edward rothstein article notes that completion of transcontinental railroad in 1869 inspired grandiose hopes for social transformation.
Golden spike utah it commemorates the completion of the first transcontinental train with cow catcher golden spike utah it commemorates the completion of the first transcontinental railroad where the central pacific railroad and the union pacific railroad met on may 10, 1869. The innocents abroad, or the new pilgrims progress was published by american author mark twain in 1869. This short is about the race to build the worlds first transcontinental railroad. 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. 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.
Today the landscape looks much the same as it did in 1869, but the rails, the towns, and even the lonely rail sidings are gone. Utah history to go historians agree that the driving of the golden spike marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad at promontory summit, utah, on 10 may 1869 was one of the most important events in united states history, as it was also in utah history. In 1863 the union pacific rr began construction from omaha, nebr. Although ambrose was a retired university history professor, the book was written as a nonacademic. How long history took, mike flanagan tells us that the building of the transcontinental railroad took five years, six months and fifteen days, between 18631869. The iron horse linked california with the rest of the nation and ushered in an era of economic consolidation. 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. The pacific railway a brief history of building the transcontinental railroad. The transcontinental railroad 1869 printable minibooks. In fact, 1869 is considered to be a benchmark year in utah 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.
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