Railroad

From 1870-1890 the railroad more than tripled its total tracks by going from 53,000 of track to over 187,000 miles of track. Engines were being built bigger, stronger, and faster. The railroad had become a much more effective way to serve the people. With this substantial increase in the Railroad, goods were able to be transported coast to coast. This stimulated the economy greatly. No longer were natural or manufactured goods permanently hauled by water. They were hauled by the rails and were able to be spread to a larger buying community which helped to greatly stimulate the economy. With the creation and expansion of the railroad so was the expansion to jobs. When a railroad hub was built in a central location such as near a farming community, this stimulated that local economy and provided additional jobs as well. Small stores then became “chain stores” near additional hubs which expanded businesses across the country.

With the expansion of the railroad came expansion of additional items that could be sold, traded, and transported. In the central United States where the farming community was great, farmers could then use refrigerator cars to ship fruits, vegetables, and meats without worrying about them spoiling. Cattle could also be easily shipped to the western states to begin to build ranches.

Travel for families to the west coast became much quicker and simpler as the great gold rush continued. Many other minerals began to be discovered and thus became the mining industry in full swing.