The Growth of the Railroads 1865-1900

Mining Is Big Business 1858 gold discovered on Pike’s Peak Most gold was deep in underground lodes 1859 silver bearing ore discovered in Nevada

Railroads Connect East to West The rise of the mining frontier was dependent on transportation. Between 1865 and 1890 the number of miles of track grew from 35,000 to more than 150,000. Construction was supported from government subsidies. Land was purchased or obtained from treaties with Native Americans. Towns offered cash subsidies to make sure the railroads come through their towns.

The Transcontinental Railroad Union Pacific began laying track westward from Omaha, Nebraska. Relied on Irish and African American Workers The Central Pacific worked eastward from Sacramento. Employed 10,000 Chinese laborers Each company wanted to cover a greater distance in order to receive more of the government subsidies.

Completion of the Railway Construction was completed on May 10, 1869. The two sets of track met at Promotory Summit in Utah Territory. The final spike was driven by Leland Stanford, governor of California.

Driving the GOLDEN SPIKE-1869

Effects of the Railroads By 1883 two more transcontinental lines and dozens of shorter lines connected cities in the west. They brought thousands of workers and manufactured goods West Carried metals and produce East Boosted the steel industry because of demand for track. Towns popped up along routes. Grew into cities. Railroads even changed how people measured time! The country was divided into FOUR time zones.