Central Pacific Railroad: Difference between revisions
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''[[United States Genealogy|United States | '''''[[United States Genealogy|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Migration Internal|Migration]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[US Migration Railroads|Railroads]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' Central Pacific Railroad''' | ||
[[Image:Trestle CPRR.jpg|thumb|right|400px|<center>Trestle on Central Pacific Railroad</center>]]In 1869 the Central Pacific Railroad out of Sacramento, [[California Genealogy|California]], and the [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific Railroad]] out of Omaha, [[Nebraska Genealogy|Nebraska]] linked tracks in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_spike Golden Spike] ceremony at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promontory_Summit Promontroy Summit], [[Utah Genealogy|Utah]] to form the first [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcontinental_railroad transcontinental railroad service] in the [[United States Genealogy|United States]].<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Central Pacific Railroad," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Central_Pacific_Railroad Wikipedia contributors,</ref> <ref>"Union Pacific Railroad," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Union_Pacific_Railroad Wikipedia contributors,</ref> <ref>"Golden spike," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Golden_spike and Wikipedia contributors,</ref> <ref>"Promontory, Utah," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Promontory,_Utah</ref> Settlers were attracted to communities near railroads because they provided access to markets. Railroads encouraged settlement along their routes to help increase the need for their service. If an ancestor settled near a railroad, you may be able to trace their place of origin back to another place along the tracks. | [[Image:Trestle CPRR.jpg|thumb|right|400px|<center>Trestle on Central Pacific Railroad</center>]]In 1869 the Central Pacific Railroad out of Sacramento, [[California Genealogy|California]], and the [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific Railroad]] out of Omaha, [[Nebraska Genealogy|Nebraska]] linked tracks in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_spike Golden Spike] ceremony at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promontory_Summit Promontroy Summit], [[Utah Genealogy|Utah]] to form the first [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcontinental_railroad transcontinental railroad service] in the [[United States Genealogy|United States]].<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Central Pacific Railroad," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Central_Pacific_Railroad Wikipedia contributors,</ref> <ref>"Union Pacific Railroad," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Union_Pacific_Railroad Wikipedia contributors,</ref> <ref>"Golden spike," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Golden_spike and Wikipedia contributors,</ref> <ref>"Promontory, Utah," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Promontory,_Utah</ref> Settlers were attracted to communities near railroads because they provided access to markets. Railroads encouraged settlement along their routes to help increase the need for their service. If an ancestor settled near a railroad, you may be able to trace their place of origin back to another place along the tracks. | ||
== Historical Background == | |||
In order to bind the nation together from [[California Genealogy|California]] to the eastern states visionaries proposed a railroad between the west and east coasts of the [[United States Genealogy|United States]]. During the [[United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865|Civil War]] Congress authorized the building of this railroad. Congress offered [[Grants to Land Companies and Railroads#Railroads|land grants]] along the tracks in a [[Grants to Land Companies and Railroads#Railroads|checkerboard pattern]] as an incentive to the builders. The company that could build the most track would receive the most land. | In order to bind the nation together from [[California Genealogy|California]] to the eastern states visionaries proposed a railroad between the west and east coasts of the [[United States Genealogy|United States]]. During the [[United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865|Civil War]] Congress authorized the building of this railroad. Congress offered [[Grants to Land Companies and Railroads#Railroads|land grants]] along the tracks in a [[Grants to Land Companies and Railroads#Railroads|checkerboard pattern]] as an incentive to the builders. The company that could build the most track would receive the most land. | ||
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Starting in 1863 in Sacramento, [[California Genealogy|California]], the Central Pacific laid their first tracks. They slowly started their eastward race toward the oncoming [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific Railroad]] by building to Roseville, California in 1864. In 1865 they reached Colfax, and in 1866 Cisco, California. They overcame terrific problems including, labor shortages, difficulty obtaining U.S. steel tracks, lack of blasting powder, and the expense of grading, tunneling and bridging in steep mountains. In 1868 they laid 306 miles of track across [[Nevada Genealogy|Nevada]], and set a world record building ten miles of track in twelve hours in 1869. On 10 May 1869 the Central Pacific joined track with the Union Pacific at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promontory,_Utah Promontory Summit], [[Utah Genealogy|Utah]] north of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Salt_Lake Great Salt Lake] to form the first [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcontinental_railroad transcontinental railroad] in the [[United States Genealogy|United States]].<ref>"Central Pacific Railroad" in ''American Western History Musuems'' at http://www.linecamp.com/museums/americanwest/western_clubs/central_pacific_railroad/central_pacific_railroad.html (accessed 10 July 2009).</ref> Later in 1904 the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucin_Cutoff Lucin Cutoff] was completed across the Salt Lake to shorten the route to Ogden, Utah and avoid mountain grades and curves.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Lucin Cutoff" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lucin_Cutoff (accessed 10 July 2009).</ref> | Starting in 1863 in Sacramento, [[California Genealogy|California]], the Central Pacific laid their first tracks. They slowly started their eastward race toward the oncoming [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific Railroad]] by building to Roseville, California in 1864. In 1865 they reached Colfax, and in 1866 Cisco, California. They overcame terrific problems including, labor shortages, difficulty obtaining U.S. steel tracks, lack of blasting powder, and the expense of grading, tunneling and bridging in steep mountains. In 1868 they laid 306 miles of track across [[Nevada Genealogy|Nevada]], and set a world record building ten miles of track in twelve hours in 1869. On 10 May 1869 the Central Pacific joined track with the Union Pacific at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promontory,_Utah Promontory Summit], [[Utah Genealogy|Utah]] north of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Salt_Lake Great Salt Lake] to form the first [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcontinental_railroad transcontinental railroad] in the [[United States Genealogy|United States]].<ref>"Central Pacific Railroad" in ''American Western History Musuems'' at http://www.linecamp.com/museums/americanwest/western_clubs/central_pacific_railroad/central_pacific_railroad.html (accessed 10 July 2009).</ref> Later in 1904 the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucin_Cutoff Lucin Cutoff] was completed across the Salt Lake to shorten the route to Ogden, Utah and avoid mountain grades and curves.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Lucin Cutoff" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lucin_Cutoff (accessed 10 July 2009).</ref> | ||
== Route == | |||
The Central Pacific Railrad from west to east went through the following towns (listed with their modern county names): | The Central Pacific Railrad from west to east went through the following towns (listed with their modern county names): | ||
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*Roseville, [[Placer County, California Genealogy|Placer County]] | *Roseville, [[Placer County, California Genealogy|Placer County]] | ||
== [[Image:The Last Spike 1869.jpg|frame|right|419x271px|<center>The Last Spike 1869</center>]] == | |||
*Newcastle, [[Placer County, California Genealogy|Placer County]] | *Newcastle, [[Placer County, California Genealogy|Placer County]] | ||
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This railway company laid 690 miles of track. During most of its history, the Central Pacific tracks through [[Nevada Genealogy|Nevada]] to Ogden, [[Utah Genealogy|Utah]] were controlled by the [[Southern Pacific Railroad|Southern Pacific Railroad]]. | This railway company laid 690 miles of track. During most of its history, the Central Pacific tracks through [[Nevada Genealogy|Nevada]] to Ogden, [[Utah Genealogy|Utah]] were controlled by the [[Southern Pacific Railroad|Southern Pacific Railroad]]. | ||
== Settlers and Records == | |||
Settlers using the Central Pacific Railroad were likely to be from Eastern or Midwestern states along the tracks of the Union Pacific and connectors such as Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah. Most would have settled in Utah, Nevada, or northern California. | Settlers using the Central Pacific Railroad were likely to be from Eastern or Midwestern states along the tracks of the Union Pacific and connectors such as Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah. Most would have settled in Utah, Nevada, or northern California. | ||
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There are no known Central Pacific Railroad passenger list records. | There are no known Central Pacific Railroad passenger list records. | ||
== Websites == | |||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Central_Pacific_Railroad Wikipedia - Central Pacific Railroad] | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Central_Pacific_Railroad Wikipedia - Central Pacific Railroad] | ||
*[http://www.linecamp.com/museums/americanwest/western_clubs/central_pacific_railroad/central_pacific_railroad.html American Western History Musuems - Central Pacific Railroad] | *[http://www.linecamp.com/museums/americanwest/western_clubs/central_pacific_railroad/central_pacific_railroad.html American Western History Musuems - Central Pacific Railroad] | ||
== Sources == | |||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 12:07, 19 May 2016
United States 
Migration Railroads Central Pacific Railroad
In 1869 the Central Pacific Railroad out of Sacramento, California, and the Union Pacific Railroad out of Omaha, Nebraska linked tracks in the Golden Spike ceremony at Promontroy Summit, Utah to form the first transcontinental railroad service in the United States.[1] [2] [3] [4] Settlers were attracted to communities near railroads because they provided access to markets. Railroads encouraged settlement along their routes to help increase the need for their service. If an ancestor settled near a railroad, you may be able to trace their place of origin back to another place along the tracks.
Historical Background[edit | edit source]
In order to bind the nation together from California to the eastern states visionaries proposed a railroad between the west and east coasts of the United States. During the Civil War Congress authorized the building of this railroad. Congress offered land grants along the tracks in a checkerboard pattern as an incentive to the builders. The company that could build the most track would receive the most land.
Starting in 1863 in Sacramento, California, the Central Pacific laid their first tracks. They slowly started their eastward race toward the oncoming Union Pacific Railroad by building to Roseville, California in 1864. In 1865 they reached Colfax, and in 1866 Cisco, California. They overcame terrific problems including, labor shortages, difficulty obtaining U.S. steel tracks, lack of blasting powder, and the expense of grading, tunneling and bridging in steep mountains. In 1868 they laid 306 miles of track across Nevada, and set a world record building ten miles of track in twelve hours in 1869. On 10 May 1869 the Central Pacific joined track with the Union Pacific at Promontory Summit, Utah north of the Great Salt Lake to form the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.[5] Later in 1904 the Lucin Cutoff was completed across the Salt Lake to shorten the route to Ogden, Utah and avoid mountain grades and curves.[6]
Route[edit | edit source]
The Central Pacific Railrad from west to east went through the following towns (listed with their modern county names):
- Sacramento, Sacramento County
- Roseville, Placer County
The Last Spike 1869 [edit | edit source]
- Newcastle, Placer County
- Auburn, Placer County
- Colfax, Placer County
- Through Sierra Nevada Mountains in California
- Extension to Alameda, Alameda County
- Extension to Oakland, Alameda County
- Extension to Stockton, San Joaquin County
- Extension to Vallejo, Solano County
- Extension to Benicia, Solano County
- Reno, Washoe County
- Winnemucca, Humboldt County
- Elko, Elko County
- Wells, Elko county
- Promontory Summit, Box Elder County
- Corrinne, Box Elder County
- Brigham City, Box Elder County
- Ogden, Weber County
- Feeder line to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County
This railway company laid 690 miles of track. During most of its history, the Central Pacific tracks through Nevada to Ogden, Utah were controlled by the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Settlers and Records[edit | edit source]
Settlers using the Central Pacific Railroad were likely to be from Eastern or Midwestern states along the tracks of the Union Pacific and connectors such as Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah. Most would have settled in Utah, Nevada, or northern California.
There are no known Central Pacific Railroad passenger list records.
Websites[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Central Pacific Railroad," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Central_Pacific_Railroad Wikipedia contributors,
- ↑ "Union Pacific Railroad," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Union_Pacific_Railroad Wikipedia contributors,
- ↑ "Golden spike," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Golden_spike and Wikipedia contributors,
- ↑ "Promontory, Utah," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Promontory,_Utah
- ↑ "Central Pacific Railroad" in American Western History Musuems at http://www.linecamp.com/museums/americanwest/western_clubs/central_pacific_railroad/central_pacific_railroad.html (accessed 10 July 2009).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Lucin Cutoff" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lucin_Cutoff (accessed 10 July 2009).
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