Curated OER
Activity Sheet 3: Focus Questions: The Earhart Project
In this Earhart Project worksheet, students read about the Earhart Project and answer questions about it. They write short answers to information pertaining to the project, its cost, findings reported, and expeditions led. This one...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Pacific Railway Act (1862)
Contains images of the original document and a transcript of the complete text of the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 in an easy to read format. Also contains a brief overview on the background behind this act.
Ibis Communications
Eye Witness to History: Completing the Transcontinental Railroad, 1869
An overview of the construction of America's Transcontinental Railway, and its completion when the last spike was driven (after several misses) in Utah to connect the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railways. Travel across the...
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr Photographic History Museum: Constructing the Central Pacific Railroad
From a book written by a civil engineer, John Debo Galloway, this article discusses the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad including construction methods, problems, and the eventual meeting of the rails at Promontory Point.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr Photographic History Museum: The Pacific Railroad Unopen
From the September, 1869, magazine, "Overland Monthly", is this article by Robert L. Harris who traveled the route of the Central Pacific Railroad before it was officially opened, and wrote a description of the scenery along the route.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr History Museum: Nelsons' Pictorial Guide Books: Central Pacific Railroad
Contains Nelson's pictorial guide-books, a fascinating look at the journey on the Central Pacific Railroad from Utah to California, including time schedules and descriptions of scenery.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Building the First Transcontinental Railroad
This exhibition explores the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad and its impact on American westward expansion.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Iron Horse: Central Pacific and Union Pacific
From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the competition between Union Pacific and Central Pacific to complete the transcontinental railroad. Workmanship was often shoddy and...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Iron Horse: After the Celebration
From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the financial woes of Union Pacific after the railroad was completed, and what the government did to recoup some of its loans. Also...
PBS
New Perspectives on the West: Promontory Point, Utah
A map and brief description of the events at Promontory Point, Utah where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads joined to make the first transcontinental railroad.
Other
California State Railroad Museum: Central Pacific Railroad No. 1: Gov. Stanford
Use this resource to learn about the steam engine, Gov. Stanford, which was used in many roles on the Central Pacific Railroad line.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr Photographic History Museum: The Postal History of the Pacific Railroad
This site deals mostly with the history of mail sent across the country in the late 19th century.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
An extraordinarily rich collection of photos, stereographs, engravings, maps, and documents. Many 19th century accounts of building and traveling on the railroad, plus travel guides and government documents.
Library of Congress
Loc: Railroad Maps Collection: Transcontinental Railroad
Find out about plans for a transcontinental railroad and surveys which plotted out possible routes. Part of a larger site on the history of railroads and maps.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Golden Spike National Historic Site
This resource provides information about the first transcontinental railroad, which was built by nearly 30,000 Irish, German, Italian, and Chinese laborers.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr History Museum: Eastward to Promontory
This site from the Central Pacific Railroad provides an extensive and comprehensive article about surveying the route for the railroad, the problems with construction, and the men behind the idea of the railroad. Hyperlinks to additional...
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cpr Photographic History Museum Alfred Hart and the Illustrated Traveler's Map
This article written by Peter E. Palmquist describes the photographs taken by Albert A. Hart as he documented the building of the Central Pacific Railroad and then helped publicize it.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr: Lewis Metzler Clement: A Pioneer of the Central Pacific Railroad
Provides biographical information on Lewis Metzler Clement, the chief engineer for the Central Pacific Railroad, who both designed much of the route and supervised construction of the railroad. Includes several primary sources ranging...
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr Photographic History Museum: High Cost and Challenge of Building the Cprr
Contains the text of a Lewis M. Clement's 1887 statement to the U.S. Pacific Railway Commission, which gives a clear and succinct accounting of the costs incurred and the problems encountered in building the Central Pacific Railroad.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cpr Photographic History Museum: Nitroglycerine
Discusses the use of nitroglycerine in the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr History Museum: The Pacific Railroad Open: How to Go: What to See
Contains a guide for travel to and through Western America on the Central Pacific Railroad written by Samuel Bowles in 1869.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr Photographic History Museum: Utah's Role in the Pacific Railroad
A chapter from John J. Stewart's "The Iron Trail to the Golden Spike" about Utah and the transcontinental railroad.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Cprr Photographic History Museum: Locating the Central Pacific Railroad
From a book "The First Transcontinental Railroad" by John Debo Galloway, a civil engineer, comes this comprehensive description of the topography of the route of the Central Pacific Railroad.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Central Pacific Railroad History Museum: Transcontinental Railroad History
A brief discussion of the concept of a transcontinental railroad with hyperlinks to other articles on this large website.