What was completed in 1869

May 29, It is a story made up of a series of events and filled with a cast of people and companies that made it happen—here are just a few of note: One of the early and most prominent people making the case for a transcontinental railroad was Asa Whitney.

In he published his ideas on the idea of a railroad that began in Chicago and went to California. There were many others who also joined the chorus.

He undertook a survey to find a manageable route through the high and rugged Sierra Nevada and in presented his plan to Congress. Print Resources The following materials link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. B24 Table of contents A history of the transcontinental railroad. Includes extensive Notes and Bibliography sections. One of the earliest and most notable examples making the case for an overland route.

Available online from Hathi Trust External This report was required by an act passed in March to investigate the railroads that built the railroad. It includes a history of the construction. Available online from Hathi Trust External incomplete set This twelve volume set done in preparation for the construction of the railroad examines different possible routes and also includes botany and zoological surveys.

Pacific railroad and telegraph by United States Congress. Call Number: HE I A3. A report by Congress on the necessity to connect the east and west coast with a railroad and telegraph lines as a way to maintain the US position on the Pacific coast, particularly in light of the discovery of gold.

Library of Congress Digital Resources The following resources created or digitized by the Library of Congress can be used to find out more about the railroad as well as the events of the day. Digitized Image Collections Library of Congress If there's a specific image collection on the topic, use that.

Century of Lawmaking The project includes the Journals of the House of Representatives and the Senate , including the Senate Executive Journal ; the Journal of William Maclay ; the debates of Congress as published in the Annals of Congress , the Register of Debates , Congressional Globe , and Congressional Record ; the Statutes at Large ; the American State Papers ; and congressional bills and resolutions for selected sessions beginning with the 6th Congress in the House of Representatives and the 16th Congress in the Senate.

This is a good resource for what was going on in the United States at the the time the Transcontinental Railroad was built as well as articles looking at the bigger railroad industry. Railroad Maps, The Library of Congress has many railroad maps including those related to the Transcontinental Railroad.

Union Pacific Railroad Company. Central Pacific Railroad Company. Seymour Dunbar Collection. Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. From historic images to vivid descriptions, a record of rich detail is bundled inside a single card. Artifact Print Visual work. Subject Date We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content.

Find Offers. Sorry , no promotional deals were found matching that code. Promotional Rates were found for your code. Edit Close. Sign Up Log In. Dashboard Logout. Today in History: The first transcontinental railroad in the United States was completed in Share this. In , the Nazis staged massive public book burnings in Germany. Tags Today In History. Recommended for you. Most Popular. Read More.