Pacific Railroad Acts

You know, the country is in the midst of this Civil War.

And in 1862, Lincoln signs the Pacific Railroad Act.

And it is seen as a war measure because the North has to demonstrate to California that it cares enough that it will build this thing.

Otherwise, Californians might decide, well, we'll go with the South.

U.S. Congress chartered the rail company in 1862.

That same year, Congress also passed the Pacific Railroad Acts in order to promote the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Obviously, things were made much easier for the CPRR because its president also happened to be the governor of California.

In fact, throughout his entire two-year term, Leland Stanford used his political influence to assist his private business, also securing land grants, loans, and other benefits.