The Impact of the Railroad: The Iron Horse and the Octopus
The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 was a major event in California history. The iron horse linked California with the rest of the nation and ushered in an era of economic consolidation. The Californians who controlled this new technology became the wealthiest and most powerful men of their generation. The railroad also stirred intense controversy. It was denounced by its opponents as a grasping and greedy octopus.
Early Transportation and Communication Overland Mail Mark Twain Charlotte Parkhurst Pony Express Camel Caravans River Boats Telegraph The Iron Horse Theodore Judah The Big Four Government Aid Building the Railroad The Gold Spike Economic Impact The Boom of the Eighties Mother of a University Chinese Labor Working on the Railroad Anti-Chinese Sentiment The Workingmen's Party A New Constitution Chinese Exclusion The Octopus Mansions on Nob Hill The Big Four under Attack Frank Norris Revelations Defeats Interpretations