| Started during the war that divided the United | | | | bluffs near Omaha, Nebraska by the Union Pacific |
| States, the construction of the First Transcontinental | | | | Railroad; sparking a competition between the two |
| Railroad was completed after the Civil War and | | | | companies to see who could finish first. |
| heralded an era of new unity and hope for the | | | | Both companies had to overcome many problems |
| United States. But, before the railroad was even | | | | and challenges, including material and labour shortages, |
| started there were many hurdles to overcome, and | | | | before their momentous task was complete. |
| the fact that it was ever built is a tribute to human | | | | However, despite all the logistical problems and |
| resilience and endeavour. | | | | frequent attacks and disruption from Native |
| The discovery of gold in California in 1849 suddenly | | | | Americans, the railroad was completed after six |
| propelled the state from one that attracted little | | | | years and is still one of the most momentous |
| interest as it was considered a barren wasteland into | | | | engineering projects ever carried out in the |
| one that people raced to inhabit and exploit. | | | | continental USA. |
| Suddenly, plans for a Transcontinental Railroad that | | | | At 12:20 p.m. on Monday 10th May, 1869 at |
| only several years earlier were ridiculed as | | | | Promontory Point, Utah, the insertion of the final |
| unworkable and over-ambitious were revived resulting | | | | spike marked the completion of the Transcontinental |
| in an 1853 Act of Congress. However, conflicting | | | | Railroad. The official ceremony was witnessed by |
| interests between North and South prevented an | | | | about 600 workers and dignitaries, a bottle of |
| agreement being reached on the route. Ironically, it | | | | champagne smashed over a special laurel tie to huge |
| was not until the outbreak of the Civil War that the | | | | applause and a telegraph was sent to the nation |
| Transcontinental Railroad became a reality. With | | | | containing one word; 'Done'. |
| Southern opposition removed from positions in | | | | Once complete, the railroad instantly propelled its |
| federal government as a result of secession, the | | | | western coast terminus at Sacramento to |
| Senate and House of Representatives passed the | | | | prominence. The future Californian capital had acted |
| Pacific Railroad Acts in 1862 and 1864, which | | | | as the distribution point for the building materials while |
| eventually paved the way for the construction of the | | | | the railroad was under construction and once |
| railroad. Under this legislation the railroads were | | | | completed saw a massive influx of prospectors and |
| granted use of building materials and land across 20 | | | | settlers from the East. As a result the city |
| million acres and received government support for | | | | underwent a building boom which led to the |
| loans amounting to $60 million. | | | | construction of many homes, civic buildings, shops |
| Groundbreaking took place in January 1863 in | | | | and hotels in Sacramento, which were vital to |
| Sacramento, California by the Central Pacific Railroad | | | | temporarily house the rush of settlers before they |
| and in December of the same year at Missouri River | | | | decided upon their final location within California. |