Transcontinental railroad

The transcontinental railroad was a railway system built in the United States during the 1800s that connected the eastern part of the country with the western part. Before it existed, travel across the continent took many months by wagon or ship. The railroad made it possible to cross the country in days. It joined thousands of miles of track into one continuous rail line.

The idea of a transcontinental railroad began as the United States expanded westward. Westward means moving toward the Pacific Ocean. New states and territories were forming, but they were far from the older cities in the east. A territory is a region controlled by a country but not yet a state. Leaders believed a railroad would help link these distant regions. The plan became law in 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act. This law allowed the government to support railroad companies.

Two main companies built the railroad. The Union Pacific Railroad started in Omaha, Nebraska, and built westward. The Central Pacific Railroad started in Sacramento, California, and built eastward. Workers from many backgrounds were hired. Many workers on the Central Pacific were Chinese immigrants. An immigrant is a person who moves from one country to another to live. Many workers on the Union Pacific were Irish immigrants and former soldiers.

Building the railroad was difficult and dangerous. Workers faced mountains, deserts, rivers, and extreme weather. In the Sierra Nevada mountains, workers had to cut tunnels through solid rock. In the plains, they dealt with heat, cold, and attacks. Supplies were hard to bring to remote areas. Despite these problems, construction continued for several years.

The two rail lines met on May 10, 1869, at a place called Promontory Summit in Utah Territory. A special event marked the meeting. A golden spike was driven into the ground to join the final rails. A spike is a large metal nail used to hold rails in place. Telegraph messages were sent across the country to announce the completion. A telegraph is a system that sends messages using electrical signals.

After completion, the transcontinental railroad changed travel and trade in the United States. Goods such as food, tools, and mail could move faster. Towns grew along the rail lines. Native American tribes were affected as railroads crossed their lands. Over time, more railroads were built, but the first transcontinental railroad remained a major turning point in American transportation history.