Read a brief biography of Gustavus Swift, who was at the forefront of developing the refrigerato rail car that revolutionized shipment of meat from the Midwest to the East.

The Underground Railroad of the 1800's inspired talented writers of all ages. This lesson will integrate some of these famous writings to encourage students to develop their questioning techniques for analysis of literature while...

This is a brief history of a railway that was envisioned to be a "trans-prairie " railway and was planned to serve the settlers in the Red Deer area. Included are maps, and primary source documents.

A history of transportation technologies, and the individuals who led the way in developing and advancing new modes of transportation.

One-page profile of influential innovator, George Westinghouse, Jr., whose vision and ideas helped to increase the safety of the railroad system in America. His experimentation with electricity also had a huge impact on the power...

From the series, They Made America, on PBS, this biography of George Westinghouse tells about his development of the air brake for railroad cars, and his experimentation with alternating current that revolutionized the transmission of...

A very readable biography of George Westinghouse, Jr., inverntor of the train air brake, among many other things. Find a list of his achievements and a discussion of the development of his inventions.

How and why did the United States come to have four time zones? Learn about how cities and railroad travel impacted the development of these zones. Includes video (requires RealPlayer).

A brief description of the development of bonanza farms, which grew wheat in the Red River Valley. Hyperlinks to photographs of people working on these farms.

A map of the United States and territories showing the expansion from the formation of the original states to 1880, and the railroad network in 1880. The map is color-coded to show the original states, the states admitted between 1791...

A map from 1971 showing the railway network in China, indicating the post-1949 construction and expansion of the network, primarily to the west and north into the less developed and sparsely populated regions of the country.

The early China trade was a small but important part of the developing economy of the United States. Trade with China provided opportunities for great profits although it also carried great risk.Merchants who engaged in trade with China...

A biography on Joseph G. McCoy discusses his involvement in the cattle trade in Kansas and his development of the Abilene Trail. Also mentions some of the other aspects and accomplishments of his life.

From 1800-1860, America went through rapid growth and development. View this slideshow to see pictures, charts, maps,primary source documents and a detailed timeline of Virginia during the Antebellum Era.

A 14-lesson, 169-page unit on the economic history of Texas. Lessons cover the free enterprise system, the economic patterns and motivations of Native Americans and various immigrant groups, the impact of the closing of the frontier, the...

Collection in pdf format of seven lessons integrating poetry across-the-curriculum. Includes dramatization, developing poetry reading skills, and creating poetry appreciation. Printable graphic organizers and a fine bibliography...

This is from an American history course designed for teachers to enrich their knowledge and their teaching practice. This interactive is a set of nine exercises where teachers evaluate primary resources related to a specific event in...

The New York Times Learning Network has developed interactive & printable crossword puzzles. The theme of this one is Transportation.

Provides a short description of the development of the transcontinental railroad and the "Big Four" behind the construction. From the San Francisco News Letter of September 1925.

Here is a great list of ideas for teachers to utilize in the classroom for lessons about the Underground Railroad. This site provides historical information, facts, reproductibles and more.

Click through four pages on this larger website about the Pullman Rail Car Company. Read about George Pullman's ideas about establishing a company town for his workers that would address their housing, recreation, and even moral needs.

The United States was greatly affected by the Industrial Revolution taking place in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. New inventions and capital investment led to the creation of new industries and the spread of economic growth....

Provides a short description of the development of the transcontinental railroad and the "Big Four" behind the construction. From the San Francisco News Letter of September 1925.

A map of the western United States showing the rapid growth of the New West between 1885 and 1912 during the presidencies from Benjamin Harrison to Howard Taft. The map is color-coded to show the States admitted to the Union before the...