New map of the American overland route showing its connections, and land grants of 30,000,000 acres

America Transformed: This map marks the route of the first transcontinental railroad, constructed between 1863 and 1869. Two railroad companies constructed the route. The Central Pacific worked eastward from Sacramento, and the Union Pacific worked westward from Omaha. Congress approved land grants and 30-year bonds to finance construction. These companies employed thousands of immigrant laborers, including Irish, German, and Chinese immigrants to lay the tracks. While the map blatantly promotes land sales, border illustrations highlight important landmarks along the route, including the Mormon temple and tabernacle in Salt Lake City.
Courtesy of Boston Public Library