According to the book, the northern pacific, main street of the northwest. All the books provide information on the impact of the event andor discuss its place in our history such as the reforms that resulted from the triangle shirtwaist fire and the eventual obsolescence of the steam engine and the replacement of the transcontinental railroad with other means of transport. Built by the central pacific railroad of california and the union pacific railroad, it. Between 1762 and 1764, at the close of the french and indian war 17561763, a gravity. All music is credited to the artist in the credits. John debo galloway will ever be rated as one of the great engineers who had an important part in the development of western america. The men who built the transcontinental railroad, 18631869, by stephen e. The construction of a transcontinental railroad was one of the united states greatest technological achievements. The building of the transcontinental railroad graphic history. The pacific railway first transcontinental railroad. The men who built the transcontinental railroad from 18631869 2000. With engaging pictures and text, this nonfiction narrative brings this part of history to life, including the key events and key players involved.
In the joining of the first transcontinental railroad, lives were lost, indians were fought, bets were won and a large slice of american history was formed. The union pacific railroad, stretching from chicago, illinois, to promontory point, utah, was built one track at a time until eventually it covered nearly 1500 miles. May 18, 2015 join me as we lay down the tracks of learning by covering the basics on the transcontinental railroad built during the 1860s. The transcontinental railroad 1869 in 1862, president lincoln signed the pacific railway actand the race to complete the transcontinental railroad was on. The transcontinental railroad had long been a dream for people living in the american west. Historic photographs support detailed and engaging text. The book begins with engineer theodore judahs dream of a transcontinental railroad and concludes with the longterm effects of americas railroad expansion. John henry by julius lester, how railroads shaped america by jack omara, death of the iron horse by paul g. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Before the railroad, the fastest way to migrate to the west was by wagon, a journey fraught with danger over plains, deserts, mountains and rivers.
A transcontinental railroad is a contiguous network railroad trackage that crosses a continental land mass with terminals at different oceans or continental borders. It connected the east and west coast of the united states paving the way for white settlers at the expense of. The first transcontinental railroad was a 1,912mile continuous railroad line constructed between 1863 and 1869 that connected the existing eastern u. List of books and articles about transcontinental railroad. Can anyone recommend an accurate book about the transcontinental railroad. In 1845, asa whitney presented to congress a plan for the federal government to subsidize the building of a railroad from the mississippi river to the pacific. Transcontinental railroads in the gilded age, journal of american history 2003. The central pacific railroad and the union pacific railroad lines met at promontory summit, utah. The men who built the transcontinental railroad from 1863. Nothing like it in the world, author stephen ambrose notes that lincoln stated during a campaign speech, no other improvement. In 1863 the union pacific rr began construction from omaha, nebr. First transcontinental railroad photographic history museum.
In his authoritative book, the men who built the transcontinental railroad, 18631869. The transcontinental railroad greatly boosted americas economy and contributed to the westward expansion. The first spikes were driven in 1863, in the midst of the civil war. The pounding hammer on that final golden spike, which linked the east to the west, echoed waves of. In the following excerpt from chapter 3 of his book, samuel bowles, who had traveled on the union pacific railroad, describes the. Perhaps more importantly, a westward journey that took several dangerous months before 1870 could now be accomplished in less than a week. In 1862, president lincoln signed the pacific railway actand the race to complete the transcontinental railroad was on. The transcontinental railroad turning points in american. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869.
January 1863 central pacific railroad breaks ground on its portion of the railroad at sacramento, california. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. It was 1,776 miles long and served for the atlantic and pacific coasts of the united states to be connected by rail for the first time in history. The first transcontinental railroad, originally called the pacific railroad, was a railroad built in the united states between 1863 and 1869 that connected the western part of america with its eastern part. This is the absorbing story of the men, heroic and otherwise, who built the first transcontinental railroad in the years 18631869, and historian stephen ambrose is a great storyteller. The transcontinental railroad addresses the laborious and often dangerous process of connecting the united states from east to west. The first transcontinental railroad known originally as the pacific railroad and later as the overland route was a 1,912mile 3,077 km continuous railroad line constructed between 1863 and 1869 that connected the existing eastern u. No longer would people travel in long wagon trains that took months to reach california. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum. Westward expansion only 1 left in stock order soon. The construction of the railroad to the pacific represented, if not a turning point in the countrys history, at least an unmistakable sign that major changes were underway. It included the regions natural history and illustrations of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Mar 18, 2015 on may 10, 1869, a golden spike was driven at promontory, utah, signaling the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the united states.
The construction of railroad demonstrated the effectiveness of complex militarylike organization and assemblyline processes. Building the first transcontinental railroad, by david haward bain. Sep 14, 2007 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. He was a longtime professor of history at the university of new orleans. As a lawyer he defended the illinois central against the state in a case involving tax exemption. Although ambrose was a retired university history professor, the book was written as a nonacademic. The northern pacific railroad, the sioux, and the panic of 1873 by m. Utah history to go historians agree that the driving of the golden spike marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad at promontory summit, utah, on 10 may 1869 was one of the most important events in united states history, as it was also in utah history. Such networks can be via the tracks of either a single railroad or over those owned or controlled by multiple railway companies along a continuous route. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your.
A smaller number of observers also recognized that the transcontinental railroad linked not only people and places but also moments in history. This article is part of the history of rail transport by country series wooden railroads, called wagonways, were built in the united states starting from the 1720s. Sometimes the text was a bit wooden and a bit of in depth analysis was lacking, but overall, it was an interesting read. Join nationallyrecognized author and storyteller sam payne and utah music icon clive romney and friends on a lively train to discovery. The transcontinental railroad for kids ulysses grant was the 18th american president who served in office from march 4, 1869 to march 4, 1877. Ambrose offers an historical successor to his universally acclaimed undaunted courage. Heroism and the transcontinental railroad the atlas society. David bains meticulously researched and highly detailed empire express is the best modern history of the first transcontinental railroad highly recommended. History westward expansion the first transcontinental railroad stretched from the east coast of the united states to the west coast.
The transcontinental railroad and millions of other books are available for instant access. Wood in the spring of 1853 secretary of war jefferson davis who later became president of the confederate states of america dispatched survey. Transcontinental railroad and the american west youtube. Today the landscape looks much the same as it did in 1869, but the rails, the towns, and even the lonely rail sidings are gone. I dont know if this is the correct forum but i will try it anyway. They could now travel faster, safer, and cheaper by train. How the transcontinental railroad was built youtube. Transcontinental railroad completed, unifying united states. The expeditions included surveyors, scientists, and artists and resulted in an immense body of data covering at least 400,000 square miles 1,000,000 km 2 on the american west. In the beginning of the nineteenth century, america was waiting to be explored, and several thousand adventurous people accepted the challenge. Students will have the opportunity to practice the skills of identifying main ideas and details and summarizing to understand the text. It provides some good information on the building of the transcontinental railroad.
History of rail transportation in the united states. Building the transcontinental railroad library of congress. Nothing like it in the world is a narrative history of the planning and construction of the pacific railroad during the 1860s which connected the san francisco bay and council bluffs, iowa by rail. It was here on may 10, 1869 that california governor stanford drove the golden spike or the last spike, that symbolized the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. An interesting book about the big four in california and the impact they had on the building of the transcontinental railroad and on the development of california as a state. This is an incredibly indepth history of the building of the transcontinental railroad, complete with end notes. Celebrity status aside, the relative sales of the two books were undoubtedly influenced by the fact that empire express is twice the length of the ambrose book. I like trains, i like history, particularly 19th century american history, so i figured i would give this a try. First transcontinental railroad is completed history. Nathan olson my boys ages 4 and loved this 32 page historically accurate picture book that is written in a comic book format ages tells the story of how the transcontinental railroad was built during the 1800s. The transcontinental railroad, laid across the united states during the 1860s, remains the very epitome of contradiction. Equally important, the success of the transcontinental railroad encouraged an american faith that with money, determination, and organization anything can be accomplished.
Transcontinental railroad this pbs take on the transcontinental railroad brings ample detail and great archival material, along with the commentary of some of our best railroad historians. For objectivists, ambroses work will offer a journey into a more heroic time. The idea for what became the transcontinental railroad began long before the civil wars outbreak. Central pacific railroad construction in the 1860s. Russell had been the official photographer of the u. The first transcontinental railroad probably was the railroad that was built across the isthmus of panama. Transmississippi west, 18651890, oscar osburn winther. Historic photos and newspaper clippings help to relate the story of how america was united. A railroad was reportedly used in the construction of the french fortress at louisburg, nova scotia, in new france now canada in 1720. Products could now be manufactured in the east and delivered to the west in under two weeks, benefiting the united states economy. A pictorial history by author and historian charles r. The story of the first transcontinental railroad by william. The two lines met at promontory summit, utah, and on may 10, 1869, a golden spike joined the two railways, thus completing the first transcontinental railroad.
Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Apr 28, 2010 this is a ken burns style video about the first transcontinental railroad that i made for a school project. As they stretched the rails in every direction, the railroad moguls of the nineteenth century changed the face of america forever. One of the important events during his presidency was the completion of the transcontinental railroad on march 10, 1869. His book coauthored with james ronda the west the railroads made is due out in 2008. Railroad track had to be laid over 2,000 miles of rugged terrain, including mountains of solid granite. Informational nonfiction, 1,565 words, level x grade 5, lexile 990l multilevel book also available in levels z1 and z2 how could anyone build something as big and expensive as a railroad across the immense, rugged american west. Includes information on building bridges, tunnels, and daily life for the chinese laborers and other men laying track.
Timeline history of the transcontinental railroad timeline trackers. His book is rich with details although it also has a few editing lapses. Moving mostly chronologically, the book describes the genesis of the project, the difficult road to completion, and some of the wideranging effects of the construction itself and of the finished railroad. Resources and history about the railroad spike 150. The history of the transcontinental railroad trains magazine. The transcontinental railroad was completed in six years. Aug 29, 2000 subtitled incorrectly the men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869, i knew i was taking a risk reading an ambrose book, but the subject was compelling to me. The pacific railroad surveys 18531855 consisted of a series of explorations of the american west to find possible routes for a transcontinental railroad across north america. By the 1860s, the sea carriers were already taking advantage of welldeveloped trade with the panama railroad across central america, completed in 1855, that was providing true transcontinental shipping at a much lower price over a much shorter overland route. A unit study units amid all the stories of the golden spike and the crosscountry race between the union pacific and the central pacific, many have lost sight of the facts behind the building of the transcontinental railroad. The story of the first transcontinental railroad by william francis bailey free ebook project gutenberg. At promontory, utah, california governor leland stanford pounds in a ceremonial golden spike that completes the nations first transcontinental railway. And even though they made major contributions to the construction of the transcontinental railroad, these 15,000 to 20,000 chinese immigrants have been largely ignored by history. Westward expansion iron rails, iron men, and the race to link the nation.
Military railroad during the civil war, and in 1868, he set out to document the union pacifics journey to. Find out how the transcontinental railroad transformed america into one nation. In 1845, asa whitney presented to congress a plan for the federal government to. This book provides a fastpaced and exciting look at many aspects of the building of the transcontinental railroad. A recital of the list of important engineering projects with which he was associated through more than half a century and the many honors bestowed upon him may not be so interesting to the readers of the first transcontinental railroad as is a word as to his. This book is filled with photographs, interesting facts, discussion questions, and more, to effectively engage young learners in such a significant retelling of events. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. In fact, 1869 is considered to be a benchmark year in utah history. Snapshot report on a railroad official snapshot report on an ethnic group poster of the transcontinental railroad newspaper article about the railroad a day in the life of a railway worker diorama scene from building the railroad students will be required to select three out of six activities from a list to complete with their partner. The rail line was built by three private companies over public lands provided by extensive us land grants.
This is an actual book, not the kindle edition, which is the only version that shows up in goodreads. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum virtual bookstore. Looking for a good book about the transcontinental railroad. This book covers all aspects of the history surrounding the transcontinental railroad, with the detail of a diary. The pacific railway a brief history of building the transcontinental railroad. Nothing like it in the world is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroad. Building the transcontinental railroad history of america.
The transcontinental railroad the transcontinental railroad. Describes the building of the transcontinental railroad across the united states. The building of the transcontinental line across the vast mountains, plains, and deserts of the west was, undoubtedly, a spectacle to behold, and this is the book that puts you there. Btw, the first truly transcontinental railroad in north america was the canadian pacific or at least almost.
The transcontinental railroad goodreads share book. Buy echoes of hammers and spikes fullcolor 9 x 12 book and 20song album celebrate americas greatest technological achievement of building the transcontinental railroad. List of books and articles about transcontinental railroad online. On the one hand, it was a triumph of engineering skills over thousands of miles of rough terrain, but on the other hand, it drained the natural resources in those places nearly dry. An interesting and wellbalanced view of the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed in 1869. Nothing like it in the world audiobook, by stephen e.
Ambrose was a retired boyd professor of history at the university of new. However, the book appears to have been cobbled together as fast as the editors could do so. The coming of the transcontinental railroad tcrr, the first communication revolution in the united states. Learn more about railroad history with this selection of books available in the. I want one that tells the story accurately from beginning of the railroad to the completion. The first transcontinental railroad was built crossing the western half of america and it was pieced together between 1863 and 1869. Young learners will be introduced to an important stage in history when they read building the transcontinental railroad. The iron road this is the earlier and lesser of two pbs american experience films on the transcontinental railroad. Subtitled incorrectly the men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869, i knew i was taking a risk reading an ambrose book, but the subject was compelling to me. Crony capitalism and the transcontinental railroads mises. Nothing like it in the world is a narrative history of the planning and construction of the pacific railroad. This fullcolor 9 x 12 book and 20song album celebrate americas greatest technological achievement of the 19th century building the transcontinental railroad.
Personally, i found my interest waxing and waning, but im not a big fan of historical books in general. The first transcontinental railroad in north america was built in the 1860s, linking the well developed railway network of the east coast with rapidly growing california. Stereoviews, engravings, maps, and documents are treasures of western americana that illustrate the history of the first transcontinental railroad, built from sacramento, california over the sierra nevada mountains, the to end of track at the golden spike ceremony at promontory, utah where the rails were joined on may 10, 1869 with the union. Before the advent of the transcontinental railroad, a journey across the continent to the western states meant a dangerous six month trek over rivers, deserts, and mountains. The first transcontinental railroad was a 1,912mile 3,077 km continuous railroad line. The transcontinental railroad back country byway represents an epic achievement in american history, linking east to west in the new nation. History of the transcontinental railroad spike 150. Transcontinental railroad books in print and videotapes.
In this account of an unprecedented feat of engineering, vision, and courage, stephen e. Nov 27, 2018 the transcontinental railroads impact. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 1863 1869. The transcontinental railroad 1869 printable minibooks.
1370 57 264 337 786 1022 277 910 818 776 393 201 863 673 1243 970 864 723 858 720 373 893 280 1170 406 233 540 1109 1117 1330 1432 1478