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Asa Whitney Presents Plan
In 1845, Asa presents a plan to Congress for the building of a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. -
Period: to
Gaining Support
The settlement of the Oregon boundary, acquisition of western territories from Mexico, and discovery of gold in California all increased support for the project. -
Funds for Surveying are Given
Congress gives the funds to survey the proposed routes for the track. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska introducing more land for settlement. -
Construction of Railroad Approved
During the Civil War, Congress enacted legislation providing construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Two companies build it and a 30-year government loan is given for each mile of track constructed. -
Construction Begins
The Union Pacific starts construction at Omaha, Nebraska and the Central Pacific starts construction in Sacramento, California. -
Construction Ends
In Promontory Summit, Utah a golden spike joined the two railways and creating the first transcontinental railroad. -
Three More Transcontinental Railroads
One railroad was from Lake Superior to Oregon, another was from Kansas to Los Angeles, and the third one is from Los Angeles to New Orleans. -
A Fifth Line was Created
This line ran from Minnesota to Washington. Every company after the first two only received land and no government loans and scandals like Crédit Mobilier were frequent. These new railroads aided both settling in the West and the economy.
