Transcontinental Railroad

Railroad

Apr 12, 1845

Asa Whitney presented an idea for the federal government to financially aid a railroad stretching from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

Settlement of the Oregon boundary

Apr 12, 1846

Acquisition of western territories from Mexico

Apr 12, 1848

Discovery of gold in California

Apr 12, 1849

Kansas-Nebraska Act introduced

Apr 12, 1854

Legislation enacted

Jul 1, 1862

Legislation was passed providing the construction of a transcontinental line.

Building Railroads

Apr 12, 1863

Construction of the Union Pacific railroad in Nebraska and the Central Pacific railroad in California gained way.

First Transcontinental Railroad

May 10, 1869

The Union and Central Pacific rail lines combined.

3 more lines finished

Apr 12, 1883

Northern Pacific Railroad: Lake Superior to Oregon
Santa Fe: Kansas to California
Southern Pacific: California to Louisiana