US National Archives
Our Documents: Interstate Commerce Act (1887)
Find an image of the original Interstate Commerce Act, passed in 1887, as a remedy to railroad monopolies. Read a transcript of the law, and an explanation of the reasons why such a law was necessary.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Iron Horse: The Interstate Commerce Act
From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes The Interstate Commerce Act that passed in 1887. Its purpose was to regulate railroad rates across states, and it mandated the formation of...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Railroads and the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887
Read the history of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, how it affected the railroads, and the additions made to it over many years.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Railroads, Regulations, and the Tariff
This site describes how as railroads became more important to the industrial success of the U.S., more and more rail lines figured out ways to make the best profit. Oftentimes, unfair business practices were established which eventually...
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Interstate Commerce Act
Read about the conditions in the late 19th century that necessitated the passage of the Interstate Commerce Act, primarily to regulate railroad rates at the time.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Interstate Commerce Act
Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act which created the Interstate Commerce Commission as a federal regulatory agency to address shipping rates and price discrimination.