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.