A primary source collection of artworks, photographs, and illustrations of the railroads in the 19th century that represent different perspectives.

This site has great links to the history of Georgia. Categories of links include: Prehistoric Period, Spanish Georgia, French Georgia, Georgia as an English Colony, American Revolution to the Civil War, Reconstruction to the 20th...

The first three pages of this extensive essay on the railroad in United States history focuses on the early railroad and the Industrial Revolution in the United States.

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the competition between Union Pacific and Central Pacific to complete the transcontinental railroad. Workmanship was often shoddy and...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the railroad towns that were established by the railroad companies along their routes, and had a reputation for shoddiness and disreputable...

In this segment from History Detectives, Anne Zorela, a map collector, believes she's found a map that outlines the routes of the Underground Railroad.

This several page chapter from the site From Revolution to Reconstruction outlines the growth of the union in the railroad industry in the late 19th century. Read about the strikes, working conditions, the beginning of the American...

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....

As part of a larger site about American railroads is this informative biography of James J. Hill, who built a rail line across the Northwest without federal assistance.

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes what Asa Whitney did to promote the idea of a transcontinental railroad in the North. His efforts provoked the South into campaigning for...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the debate over the construction of railroads, the competition between canals and railroads, and the companies that were building rail...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes how, as railroads grew in size, they needed to be managed by corporations due to their increasing complexity and the size of their...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the town layouts that were commonplace for railroad towns.

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the events that occurred as the Union Pacific and Central Pacific both reached the endpoint of the railroad at Promontory Point, California....

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the emergence of the Workingmen's Party as a political force in St. Louis, its role in the railroad strikes of 1877, and how it may have...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the efforts of Jefferson Davis and others to survey lands for the best route for a transcontinental railroad. It also discusses the...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the financial woes of Union Pacific after the railroad was completed, and what the government did to recoup some of its loans. Also...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the widespread strikes by railroad workers in 1877.

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the role of townsite agents who, in addition to helping plan a town, acted as 'information brokers' to advise would-be merchants of the...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section provides a good description of the events of 1893-1894, including the reasons for the boycott of Pullman cars, the people involved, and how the...

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...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes The Interstate Commerce Act that passed in 1887. Its purpose was to regulate railroad rates across states, and it mandated the formation of...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes President Grover Cleveland's role in sending federal troops to suppress the Pullman boycott, resulting in increased chaos from the...

From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes how George Pullman amassed a fortune making specialized rail cars. He then decided to build a town for his labor force, one that was very...