Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Magnificent Celebrations in Calfornia
Describes the completion of the transcontinental railroad and the subsequent celebrations.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hazardous Business: Line and Lands of the Texas & Pacific Railway, 1873
Here's a map showing the Texas & Pacific Railway. Click on link to get larger version which shows the route across Texas as well as an inset which shows how the railway connected to other railroads in the U.S.
Other
Psmre: The Northern Pacific Railway
This site from the Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers provides information about the history of the Northern Pacific Railway. The route follows the path Lewis and Clark took in 1804. Mentions cost, manpower, and other railroad companies.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr Photographic History Museum: High Cost and Challenge of Building the Cprr
Contains the text of a Lewis M. Clement's 1887 statement to the U.S. Pacific Railway Commission, which gives a clear and succinct accounting of the costs incurred and the problems encountered in building the Central Pacific Railroad.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cpr Photographic History Museum: Nitroglycerine
Discusses the use of nitroglycerine in the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Iron Horse: The Meeting at Promontory Point
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....
Stanford University
Stanford University: Spatial History: Distribution of Union Pacific Stockholders
This map reveals the way ownership of the Union Pacific concentrated in New England and New York. It also shows how the West got a federally financed railroad, and the east got the insider networks which controlled it.
Other
Minnesota Historical Society: James J. Hill House: James J. Hill
A biography of railroad magnate, James J. Hill. Learn about the life and legacy of this railroad executive who was a pivotal force in the transformation of the Northwest, earning the name "The Empire Builder."
Other
Union Pacific: Historical Overview
Provides a historical overview of the Union Pacific Railroad under the following sections: building a road, financing, construction, and post-construction.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cpr Photographic History Museum Alfred Hart and the Illustrated Traveler's Map
This article written by Peter E. Palmquist describes the photographs taken by Albert A. Hart as he documented the building of the Central Pacific Railroad and then helped publicize it.
Other
Southern Nevada: The Boomtown Years: Mining
An explanation of the role speculation in both mining and railroads played in the financial panic of 1893. An interesting article from the University of Nevada.
PBS
Pbs the West: Walking Pieces of Gold
A look at the role railroads played in the near-extermination of the American bison.
Curated OER
Re Union and the Railroad
A speech and an engraving that illustrate how the railroad helped to unite the country after the Civil War.
Curated OER
Mountain Scene on the Pacific Railroad
From Chapter 105 of R. M. Devens' 1878 book, "Our First Century" is this description of the building of the transcontinental railroad and the ceremony of driving the final spike.
Curated OER
Completion of the Pacific Railroad
From Chapter 105 of R. M. Devens' 1878 book, "Our First Century" is this description of the building of the transcontinental railroad and the ceremony of driving the final spike.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Railroads in United States, 1910
A map from 1910 of the United States showing the railway network and connecting steamship lines. This map distinguishes the transcontinental railroads and secondary lines, and shows the standardized time zones used in 1910. The clock...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Blast Through the Past: Transportation & Movement in Utah [Pdf]
Fourth graders will discuss the different types of transportation prior to the transcontinental railroad. They will also write an essay using the information discussed to present the pros and cons of transporting eggs to big cities by...
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Driving the Last Spike
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.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr History Museum: Abstract From the 1862 Annual Report
Here is the explanation of how the land grants given to the railroads through the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 worked in the text from the General Land Office to the Department of the Interior.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr History Museum: Chinese Laborers and Construction of the Central Pacific
An article from the Utah Quarterly, Vol. 37, No. 1, by George Kraus, recounts the decision to use Chinese laborers in building the Central Pacific Railroad. Many primary source documents included as well as supplemental direct quotes in...
Other
Paul Yee: 'Ghost Train' Teaching Guide [Pdf]
This teaching guide provided by Paul Yee for his book "Ghost Train" provides a summary of the story, discussion questions and classroom activities. The book explores the Chinese-Canadians' perspective on settling in a new country, and...
PBS
Pbs the West: The Grandest Enterprise Under God
The critically acclaimed PBS series, "The West," depicts the coming of the railroad throughout the west and the consequences of the settling of the west.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Pacific Railway Act (1862)
Contains images of the original document and a transcript of the complete text of the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 in an easy to read format. Also contains a brief overview on the background behind this act.
New York Times
New York Times: On This Day: Credit Moibiler Scandal
See a political cartoon of Thomas Nast decrying the Credit Mobilier scandal, and read a concise account of what it was, who was involved, and why it was such a scandal.