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Primary
Ibis Communications

Eye Witness to History: Completing the Transcontinental Railroad, 1869

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Graphic
PBS

New Perspectives on the West: Promontory Point, Utah

For Students 6th - 8th
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.
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Website
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

The Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
If you are researching the Central Pacific Railroad or the importance of photography in the recording of our social and technological history, this site is for you. You will find plenty of topic photos and good information about the...
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Handout
Utah Education Network

Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Golden Spike National Historic Site

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about the first transcontinental railroad, which was built by nearly 30,000 Irish, German, Italian, and Chinese laborers.
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Article
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

Cprr: Completion of the Pacific Railroad

For Students 9th - 10th
From Chapter 105 of R. M. Devens' 1878 book, "Our First Century" is this description of the building of the transcontinental railroad and the ceremony of driving the final spike.
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Handout
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

Cprr Photographic History Museum: Locating the Central Pacific Railroad

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: The Iron Road

For Students 9th - 10th
A good summary of the history of the building of first transcontinental railroad and images of the transcontinental railroad. From the introduction to the PBS video, The Iron Road.
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Handout
Other

Psmre: History of the Union Pacific Railroad

For Students 9th - 10th
This page from the Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers is part of a larger railroad history site. Includes brief information about the history of the Union Pacific Railroad and other railroads, including a mention of the Pacific...
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Website
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

Central Pacific Railroad History Museum: Transcontinental Railroad History

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief discussion of the concept of a transcontinental railroad with hyperlinks to other articles on this large website.
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Golden Spike National Historic Site

For Students 9th - 10th
Homepage of the Golden Spike National Historic Site. Provides general information about the completion of the transcontinental railroad and contains links to other information.