A timeline history of the transcontinental railroads in north america. Tales of the race to complete the transcontinental railroad are often full of interesting. Activity three in the lesson asks students to compare the construction of the transcontinental railroad from a variety of perspectives, including those of chinese laborers. The ceremony for the driving of the golden spike at promontory summit, utah on may 10, 1869. Celebrity status aside, the relative sales of the two books were undoubtedly influenced by the fact that empire express is twice the length of the ambrose book. In 1862, the central pacific and the union pacific railroad companies began building a transcontinental railroad that would link the united states from east to west. The possibility of railroads connecting the atlantic and pacific coasts was discussed in the congress even before the treaty with england which settled the question of the oregon boundary in 1846. Russell had been the official photographer of the u. We invite you to join us in our investigation of the transcontinental railroad. Railroads across the country students in grades k2 learn to read and trace transcontinental routes on a nineteenthcentury railroad map of the. A map of the original route of the transcontinental railroad. The first transcontinental railroad in the united states was built in the 1860s. Montague, central pacific railroad, shakes hands with grenville m. Golden spike offers two junior ranger activity books for visitors to use as they explore the site.
Students analyze archival material such as photos, documents, and posters, to understand the who was involved in constructing, and the lasting phenomenon of. The first transcontinental railroad known originally as the pacific railroad and later as the overland route was a 1,912mile 3,077 km continuous railroad line constructed between 1863 and 1869 that connected the existing eastern u. The men who built the transcontinental railroad 18631869 paperback november 6, 2001. Recently i have been introduced to the history of the transcontinental railroad through reading ambroses book nothing like it in the world. This act was the approval and funding to build the transcontinental railroad. Commemorative activities continued throughout the day with the. See especially the section on the transcontinental railroad. Historic photographs support detailed and engaging text. Transcontinental telegraph and railroad, grades k5 nea. This book provides a fastpaced and exciting look at many aspects of the building of the transcontinental railroad.
Building the transcontinental railroad a brief history in printable format. This activity provides a short reading on the transcontinental railroad, a foldable activity, read and reflect questions, and a map activity. The transcontinental railroad of 1862 for kids and teachers. We should note that this lesson draws on a pbs documentary video that is not directly available on the site. Railroad backcountry byway activity book focuses on cultural resources. Sep 30, 20 the 1st transcontinental railroad for kids we also learned how the railroad expanded between 18631869 to connect the eastern united states with the west to form the first transcontinental railroad. While there were many who put great time, energy, and money into the venture his unyielding efforts in what he called his railroad central pacific laid the groundwork and firmly believed an acceptable route with manageable grades could be built through californias seemingly. The print book contains 48 pages and includes pictures. Use this lesson plan to teach students about the history and impact of the transcontinental railroad. With engaging pictures and text, this nonfiction narrative brings this part of history to life, including the key events and key players involved. Along with the lesson plans prepared by the teachers in the wasatch range writing project, which are available here in pdf format, please visit any weber county library location, for a wide. With your class view a political map of the united states in 1860, such as the one at. In 1862, the central pacific and the union pacific railroad companies began building a transcontinental railroad that would link the united states from east to.
This bill allowed congress to hire two private companies to build a transcontinental railroad that would connect travel by rail from coast to coast. By 1881, it was routine to travel by train from eastern cities. First, the students should use the play dough to model the land features of the united states. See more ideas about westward expansion, social studies and american history. Transcontinental railroad bureau of land management. A unit study units amid all the stories of the golden spike and the crosscountry race between the union pacific and the central pacific, many have lost sight of the facts behind the building of the transcontinental railroad. See more ideas about transcontinental, railroad, central pacific railroad. Its a relatively short reflection on the period of time wherein the railroad was conceived, begun, accomplished, and completed. The books and lesson are available for levels z1 and z2. The transcontinental railroad of 1862 for kids and. We learned about the transcontinental railroad by reading several different books. Nea transcontinental telegraph and railroad, grades k5. Transcontinental railroad uen utah education network.
The transcontinental railroad addresses the laborious and often dangerous process of connecting the united states from east to west. Harriet tubman activities and the underground railroad. Railroad maps, 18281900, a subset of maps, is a collection of maps that represent an. The transcontinental railroad history reference center we the people expansion and reform we the people we the people series compass point books author. Looking for a good book about the transcontinental railroad.
It is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroadthe investors who risked their businesses and money. How did the transcontinental railroad change utahs economy. See the map on the next page for the closest services. In order to complete the activity book, be sworn in as a junior ranger, and receive the junior ranger badge visitors should plan at least 3040 minutes. Transcontinental railroad construction, competition. There are many misconceptions surrounding the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Created by the utah division of state history antiquities program, this story map offers historical context on how the construction of the railroad.
For more information contact us by phone, email, or come and see our staff at the visitor center. Central pacific railroad photographic history museum. This firm was known the world over for the quality, quantity, and variety of its publications, including maps, atlases, and school geographies. On may 10, 1869, the last spike of the transcontinental railroad was. Three coloring pages for the transcontinental railroad. Lesson plan from the federal reserve that uses the book and railroad theme to. The first transcontinental railroad has been called the engineering marvel of the 19th century and a flatout swindle. January 1863 central pacific railroad breaks ground on its portion of the railroad at sacramento, california. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The transcontinental railroad weber county library. History of railroads and maps a detailed look at surveying and mapping railroads during the period of western expansion. The impact of the transcontinental railroad nehedsitement. A transcontinental railroad or transcontinental railway is a contiguous network railroad trackage that crosses a continental land mass with terminals at different oceans or continental borders. The transcontinental railroad 1869 printable minibooks.
Post civil war united states, 18651892 map can be downloaded in. Lesson plan on the transcontinental railroad for grades 612, with activities that could be. Lesson ideas for use with the picture book coolies, by yin. In this lesson, guide students through an exploration of the context, causes, and effects of the transcontinental railroad, and help them practice identifying the main idea and supporting details in a nonfiction text. As they stretched the rails in every direction, the railroad moguls of the nineteenth century changed the face of america forever. Watch the transcontinental railroad american experience. Once the railroad was completed, it slowly ended the more hazardous stagecoach and wagon caravans.
The building of the transcontinental railroad is a story of many parts. The trip across the overland trails followed by settlers could take four to six months, however, and were treacherous on foot or by wagon. Map publishing firms perhaps 30 percent of the commercially produced railroad maps were published by the new york city publishing house established by joseph hutchins colton in 1831. Railroad maps, 18281900 collection connections teacher.
Explore the different railroad lines and learn about the hardships workers faced. The building of the transcontinental line across the vast mountains, plains, and deserts of the west was, undoubtedly, a spectacle to behold, and this is the book that puts you there. The transcontinental railroad s western leg was known as the central pacific, the vision of theodore d. In 1862, president lincoln signed the pacific railway actand the race to complete the transcontinental railroad was on.
Fun pony express lesson for kids 123 homeschool 4 me. Have the students create a 3d topographical map of the transcontinental railroad. List of books and articles about transcontinental railroad. In 1845, asa whitney presented to congress a plan for the federal government to subsidize the building of a railroad from the mississippi river to the pacific. Reenactment of last spike ceremony for gradeschoolage and middleschoolage students. Geography and history activity transcontinental railroads. The idea for the transcontinental railroad was conceived even before the oregon. The transcontinental railroad in childrens books westward. As part of my nearconstant study of all things american history, i listened to the audible edition of the transcontinental railroad. Nea transcontinental telegraph and railroad, grades 68. Military railroad during the civil war, and in 1868, he set out to document the union pacifics journey to. Two private companies were hired to build a railroad that would connect railroads coast to coast. Includes links to photos, maps and other railroad related sites. Transcontinental railroad fact sheet prior to the opening of the transcontinental railroad, it took four to six months to travel 2000 miles from the missouri river to california by wagon.
Such networks can be via the tracks of either a single railroad or over those owned or controlled by multiple railway companies along a continuous route. Students will have the opportunity to practice the skills of identifying main ideas and details and summarizing to understand the text. The transcontinental railroad history of railroads and maps. Resources and history about the railroad spike 150. Overview using a variety of maps, students assess the need for a transcontinental railroad in the 1860s. Other pieces of the transcontinental railroad have become trails, still other are abandoned to the prairies or mountains to be reclaimed by nature. Transcontinental railroad of 1862 for kids and teachers abraham lincoln signed the pacific railroad bill in 1862.
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