Construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad (1862–1869)

1. Pacific Railroad Act authorizes project

   Jul 1, 1862Labels: Pacific Railroad, Abraham Lincoln, Union Pacific

   • Natl Archives
   • Britannica

2. Central Pacific breaks ground in Sacramento

   Jan 8, 1863Labels: Central Pacific, Sacramento, Groundbreaking

   • CA Parks
   • Wikipedia

3. Union Pacific construction begins in Omaha

   Dec 2, 1863Labels: Union Pacific, Omaha, Great Plains

   • WyoHistory
   • Britannica

4. Second Pacific Railway Act expands subsidies

   Jul 2, 1864Labels: Second Pacific, United States

   • Britannica

5. Central Pacific begins large-scale Chinese hiring

   Jan 7, 1865Labels: Central Pacific, Chinese workers

   • Wikipedia

6. Central Pacific Chinese labor strike

   Jun 1, 1867Labels: Chinese workers, Labor strike

   • Wikipedia

7. Summit Tunnel breakthrough at Donner Pass

   Aug 30, 1867Labels: Summit Tunnel, Donner Pass, Central Pacific

   • PSRHS
   • HAER

8. Central Pacific opens to Sierra summit

   Dec 1, 1867Labels: Central Pacific, Sierra summit

   • PSRHS
   • ASCE

9. Union Pacific reaches Cheyenne, Wyoming

   Dec 1, 1867Labels: Union Pacific, Cheyenne, Wyoming

   • Wikipedia

10. Central Pacific reaches Reno, Nevada

    Jun 18, 1868Labels: Central Pacific, Reno, Nevada

    • Wikipedia
    • PSRHS

11. Congress and companies select Promontory meeting point

    Apr 1, 1869Labels: Promontory Summit, Congress, Union Pacific

    • NPS

12. Central Pacific sets “Ten Mile Day” record

    Apr 28, 1869Labels: Central Pacific, Ten Mile

    • NPS Handbook
    • Wikipedia

13. Golden Spike ceremony joins the rails

    May 10, 1869Labels: Golden Spike, Promontory Summit, Union Pacific

    • NPS
    • LOC Guide
    • NYT 1869

14. New York Sun exposes Crédit Mobilier scandal

    Sep 4, 1872Labels: Cr dit, New York, Union Pacific

    • House History