Read about the growth of railroads throughout the eastern part of the United States, which greatly reduced transportation costs. See why there was opposition to railroads from many groups. Be sure to look at the stereograph of the...

Ride the rails in the late 19th century by following these travel guides for railroads across the country. Find copies of the guides showing time tables, maps, and descriptions of the trips.

A chapter from John J. Stewart's "The Iron Trail to the Golden Spike" about Utah and the transcontinental railroad.

A great map showing the pathways of escape on the Underground Railroad throughout the United States. From the Schomburg Center for Research. You can also find a map of routes in the 18th century. Students can see the progression of...

A culminating lesson plan after the study of building the first transcontinental railroad. Uses as its text Stephen Krensky's book, "The Iron Dragon Never Sleeps."

Interactive resource in which students choose their fate by making their own decisions as they travel the Underground Railroad.

Read a comprehensive account of the Underground Railroad, how it was organized, and the routes that were used. Be sure to read all three parts.

Provides biographical information on Lewis Metzler Clement, the chief engineer for the Central Pacific Railroad, who both designed much of the route and supervised construction of the railroad. Includes several primary sources ranging...

Read about the Railroad Strike of 1877 that started in Pennsylvania and spread across the Midwest. Find out about the violence against the strikers and the use of the military to end the strike.

An informative article which links the importance of railroads to the mining industry in Utah. Find out about mining and the dangers of mining in the late 19th century.

A brief look at the Underground Railroad and how it operated. Find some of the code words used to help runaway slaves find their way, and read about some of the "conductors" who led slaves along the routes to the North.

If you are researching the Central Pacific Railroad or the importance of photography in the recording of our social and technological history, this site is for you. You will find plenty of topic photos and good information about the...

Contains a guide for travel to and through Western America on the Central Pacific Railroad written by Samuel Bowles in 1869.

The National Park System has preserved many buildings that were used as Underground Railroad stations. See the sites as they stand today and learn about the network that existed.

See a copy of the document that enacted legislation for the development of a transcontinental railroad. Included is the text of the document also.

A brief summary of the history of African American slavery and the Underground Railroad. Activities and books pertaining to slave life, plantations, and the Underground Railroad are suggested.

This article from the Encyclopedia of Chicago explains how a strike by railroad workers in West Virginia eventually made its way to Chicago and was taken up by workers from many industries. See how city officials resolved this general...

Learn about the historic New York trial "Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Company," and the appeal of its decision. Includes descriptions of events that led to the trial as well as details on the trial's outcome.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center features the history of slavery in the United States, from the gallant actions of those who organized the Underground Railroad to stories of those who escaped to freedom. Strategically...

Read about the necessity for a loose organization such as the Underground Railroad. Click on "List of Sites" to find out about Underground Railroad stations across the north.

A narrated slideshow that is a summary of two chapters in a history text. It outlines the factors that led to the industrialization and urbanization of Texas, away from an agrarian economy. These included the growth of the railroad,...

The history behind the Labor Day holiday is far more complex and dramatic than most might realize, starting with a heated campaign by workers in the late 19th century to win support and recognition for their contributions. In July 1894,...

A speech and an engraving that illustrate how the railroad helped to unite the country after the Civil War.

Read about the New York Court of Appeals case "Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co." (1928), the events that led up to the case, the final verdict, and how this case affected the legal system.