Reports Of Explorations And Surveys To Ascertain The Most Practicable And Economical Route For A Railroad From The Mississippi River To The Pacific Ocean

Item 42 Title Page.jpg
Item 42.jpg

Creator

Various Authors

Title

Reports Of Explorations And Surveys To Ascertain The Most Practicable And Economical Route For A Railroad From The Mississippi River To The Pacific Ocean

Coverage

Washington

Publisher

T. H. Ford, Printer

Date

1855-1861

Description

The Pacific Railroad Surveys were to be the definitive study of the problem of where to place the Transcontinental Railroad. These works by Army engineers and notable scientists examined geographic, geologic, biological, and meteorological factors to help determine the best place to build the railroad, free of political bias. Unfortunately, the decision of the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, on the Southern Route was dismissed by the Senate and the problem remained unsolved until 1862.