Missouri Pacific
Missouri Pacific
The Big Four
Collis Huntington, Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker and Mark Hopkins, better known to history as the "Big Four," were instrumental in building the Central Pacific Railroad and developing California's railroad system in the years between 1861 and 1900. Of modest origins, all were born or had lived in upstate New York prior to being drawn West by the Gold Rush. Huntington and Hopkins were partners in a hardware company; Stanford operated a grocery business with his brothers; and Crocker was a dry goods merchant. Prosperous by 1860, they all supported the presidential candidacy of Abraham Lincoln and the new Republican Party when called together by Theodore Judah to hear his idea for a railroad to the East. The start of the Civil War prompted their active involvement, and they invested every energy in building the western part of the first transcontinental railroad.
The greatest historical event in transportation on the continent occurred at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869, as the Union Pacific tracks joined those of the Central Pacific Railroad.
Leland Stanford, Collis P. Huntington, Charles Crocker and Mark Hopkins were the "Big Four" that conceived this enterprise and brought it to a successful ending after years of daily struggle that would have exhausted the patience and spirit of ordinary men. Huntington looked after the financing of the company. Crocker, with his tremendous energy, forced the construction of rails over the snow-crested Sierra and across the burning deserts of Nevada and Utah. Stanford kept his energies on the main points leading to success, and Hopkins saw that none of the money was wasted. That pioneer railroad line of the middle '60s formed the basis of the gigantic Southern Pacific system.
The connection of the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific bridged the 2000 miles to the Missouri River, and the four to six months time taken by the overland pioneers was reduced to six days. At once the Pacific States were transformed, and Western life gradually caught up with the life and aspirations of the East.
A transcontinental railroad had been dreamed of as early as 1836. From time to time it was suggested by visionaries and discussed by the orators and newspapers of the '40s and '50s. In 1853 Congress expended $150,000 in hunting a feasible route. Surveys were made from time to time. The California Legislature took a hand in the issue in 1855-6, fearing that Congress might relax its energies, and urged a speedy construction of a railroad, but the jealousy of politicians delayed the initiative. Meanwhile Short Line railroads were developing in the Middle West. Some of these united, and systems began to develop.
Leland Stanford is generally given credit for the initiative in starting the enterprise. In passing the store of Collis P. Huntington in Sacramento, one day, he noticed one of the huge freight wagons being loaded for the arduous haul over the Sierra into Nevada. Traffic was developing rapidly, and he realized that a better carrier and faster service was demanded. He and Huntington talked the matter over. Mark Hopkins and Charles Crocker were drawn into the discussion; they all agreed that the time had come for a railroad connection with the East. Theodore Judah, for whom Judah Street is named, had surveyed a route over the Sierra and had interested Stanford in its practicability. He was sent for, and backed with money to go over several surveyed routes known and select the best one. Meanwhile, the corporation organized with Leland Stanford as president, C.P. Huntington as vice-president, and Mark Hopkins as treasurer. Charles Crocker was a leading direction, and the spirit of dominant energy in pressing construction through and over all obstruction. Eventually the Big Four controlled a far-flung network of railroad enterprises which gave them enormous wealth and political power. Admired and detested as the West's first "Railroad Kings," they left a legacy of railroad development which still influences transportation and politics in California.
About the Author
Courtesy: Flash
Term papers
Also available on:
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21920 21920 1 Missouri Pacific PA PA Diesel set |  |
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US $825.00 | 29m |
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Lionel Boxed O Gauge 6 9219 Missouri Pacific Animated Boxcar 1983 MINT | |
0 Bid | US $24.95 | 1h 19m |
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Lot 3747 Walthers HO 50 Box Car Weathered Detailed | |
0 Bid | US $13.97 | 1h 44m |
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Walthers Proto 1000 HO MP 1615 Farr Diesel EMD GP15 | |
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US $92.49 | 2h 11m |
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N scale Con Cor Missouri Pacific PA 1 | |
6 Bids | US $33.33 | 2h 36m |
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N scale Con Cor Missouri Pacific PB 1 non powered | |
2 Bids | US $22.22 | 2h 40m |
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N scale Con Cor Missouri Pacific coach | |
2 Bids | US $10.49 | 2h 43m |
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HO Athearn GP50 Loco Missouri Pacific MP Mopac 3500 | |
0 Bid | US $39.99 | 3h 7m |
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HO Athearn GP50 Loco Missouri Pacific MP Mopac 3517 | |
0 Bid | US $39.99 | 3h 9m |
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Micro Trains 92030 Missouri Pacific Mo Pac 2 Bay ACF Centerflow Covered Hopper | |
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US $17.70 | 3h 19m |
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ATLAS KATO N Undec RS3 BM NYC CV CNW Milw SR DH DLW DRGW Erie GN GMO LN Soo | |
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US $59.00 | 3h 25m |
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N Scale Missouri Pacific Railroad 50 Single Door Boxcar road 255056 | |
0 Bid | US $8.99 | 3h 31m |
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N Scale Missouri Pacific Railroad 50 Single Door Boxcar road 255288 | |
0 Bid | US $8.99 | 3h 33m |
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N Life Like MoPac Missouri Pacific EMD E8 A Powered Loco | |
1 Bid | US $27.99 | 3h 33m |
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HO Brass Alco Models PRR Pennsylvania Railroad P 5A Electric Freight Locomotive | |
0 Bid | US $369.00 | 3h 50m |
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HO ROUNDHOUSE 50 COMBINATION DOOR BOX 1933 MISSOURI PACIFIC 367526 | |
0 Bid | US $8.99 | 3h 52m |
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N SCALE 4 BOX CARS MCPX MP AND ABTX LK LK | |
0 Bid | US $12.00 | 4h 22m |
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3 MICRO TRAINS BOX CARSDD SOUTHERNMISSOURI PACIFICWESTERN MARYLANDNEW N PKGS | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 5h 1m |
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MOPAC CABOOSE POSTER MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILROAD TRAINS | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 5h 36m |
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AJcc MISSOURI PACIFIC 50` BIO DOOR BOXCAR NICE CAR | |
0 Bid | US $7.95 | 6h 11m |
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HO Scale MP Missouri Pacific Flat Car Walthers Decal Set 69 31 | |
2 Bids | US $1.54 | 6h 14m |
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HO Scale MP Missouri Pacific Steam Locomotive Walthers Decal Set 69 70 | |
4 Bids | US $3.01 | 6h 16m |
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MINITRIX N SCALE MP CATTLE CAR 3217 54117 | |
0 Bid | US $6.99 | 6h 26m |
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AM FLYER 24863 Mo Pac VISTA DOME BOX only 1963 64 | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 6h 26m |
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AM FLYER 24866 Mo Pac OBSERVATION CAR BOX only 1958 | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 6h 28m |
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AM FLYER 21922 1 Mo Pac A UNIT w BELL BOX only 1959 60 | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 6h 29m |
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American Flyer 929 Missouri Pacific nice in EX NR MINT | |
2 Bids | US $6.50 | 6h 35m |
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AMERICAN FLYER GILBERT MISSOURI PACIFIC NOSE STICKERS | |
0 Bid | US $8.99 | 7h 16m |
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Lionel 6464 150 Missouri Pacific Eagle boxcar | |
11 Bids | US $28.50 | 7h 21m |
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USA TRAINS G MISSOURI PACIFIC LINES WOOD SIDE BOX CAR NO BOX | |
0 Bid | US $49.95 | 7h 28m |
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N Scale Life Like Missouri Pacific C 10 New in Box | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 7h 35m |
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1947 Missouri Pacific Stock car No 629 | |
2 Bids | US $6.50 | 7h 37m |
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SOUTHERN PACIFIC SP GP9 GP 9 5662 ATHEARN GENESIS HO RTR BLACK WIDOW | |
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US $151.99 | 8h 32m |
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SOUTHERN PACIFIC SP GP9 GP 9 5634 ATHEARN GENESIS HO RTR BLACK WIDOW | |
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US $151.99 | 8h 35m |
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HO ATHEARN MISSOURI PACIFIC STOCK CAR MP 54072 | |
2 Bids | US $1.29 | 8h 37m |
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Lionel 6110 Missouri Pacific MoPac Covered Quad Hopper | |
0 Bid | US $25.00 | 8h 43m |
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Lionel 8562 GP20 Missouri Pacific Pwr Engine Shell NOS | |
0 Bid | US $24.99 | 8h 45m |
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LIONEL 6464 150 MISSOURI PACIFIC BOXCAR CLEANED W 2 OPERATING COUPLERS EX | |
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US $121.99 | 8h 46m |
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Walthers 50 mill gon Missouri Pacific MP 643234 NO BOX AS IS | |
3 Bids | US $7.50 | 8h 47m |
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Lionel MPC 9724 Missouri Pacific Box Car 1973 SSS Mt Bx | |
0 Bid | US $24.99 | 8h 56m |
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Roundhouse 50 box Missouri Pacific MP 367526 NO BOX AS | |
3 Bids | US $7.50 | 8h 57m |
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AMERICAN MODELS S SCALE MISSOURI PACIFIC 52 GON 5278 WITH COVER ITEM 4428 | |
0 Bid | US $35.95 | 9h 9m |
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Flat car with loads for 40 flat car | |
0 Bid | US $12.99 | 9h 21m |
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Micro Train Lines N Scale 3 50 Flat Cars Fishbelly Side w Side Mount Brake | |
3 Bids | US $11.45 | 9h 25m |
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Very Rare Marx 54099 Green Missouri Lines Stock Car In Excellent Condtion | |
16 Bids | US $76.00 | 9h 26m |
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SET OF SIX 6 FREIGHT CARS MIDWESTERN USA NEW LOT INCL CABOOSE SLSF BN MP RI | |
0 Bid | US $40.00 | 9h 50m |
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Old Athearn Missouri Pacific Cattle Car with Real Spring Trucks | |
0 Bid | US $25.00 | 9h 53m |
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ATLAS GP15 1 MISSOURI PACIFIC MP MOPAC NEW DCC READY | |
0 Bid | US $45.00 | 10h 21m |
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WILLIAMS 21810 HERITAGE SERIES MISSOURI PACIFIC SD 90 | |
0 Bid | US $129.00 | 10h 21m |
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WILLIAMS 21812 UP HERITAGE SERIES MKT SD 90 NEW | |
0 Bid | US $129.00 | 10h 21m |
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American Flyer Stock Yard 771 Missouri Pacific Cattle Car 736 Circa 1954 | |
1 Bid | US $25.00 | 10h 23m |
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Lionel Post War Operating Box Car No3494 150 w Box | |
8 Bids | US $71.00 | 10h 24m |
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ATLAS MP 15DC MISSOURI PACIFIC MP MOPAC MP15 NEW DCC READY | |
1 Bid | US $60.00 | 10h 31m |
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The Missouri Pacific Lines by Joe G Collias OUT of PRINT | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 10h 34m |
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Lionel Control Switch 90 and Remote Control Track Section from 1957 Set | |
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US $9.99 | 10h 35m |
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Lionel Multivolt Toy Train Transformer Type 1015 45 Watts from Late 1950s | |
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US $4.99 | 10h 44m |
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Lionel Compatible 511011 Missouri Pacific Boxcar 0 027 Gauge by K Line rare | |
0 Bid | US $5.95 | 10h 46m |
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N MT Missouri Pacific 50 ribside box car 26040 rd MP 367926 NEW | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 10h 52m |
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HO Athearn 4605 Missouri Pacific MP 2329 GP38 2 Diesel Engine | 0 Bid | US $24.99 | 11h 1m |
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N GAUGE N SCALE 2 LIFELIKE BOXCARS BORDENS 50 AND MP EAGLE MERCHANDISE SERVICE | |
6 Bids | US $11.99 | 11h 6m |
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Vintage CHAMP O Gauge Decals XR 9 Missouri Pacific Express Refrigerator | |
0 Bid | US $2.95 | 11h 10m |
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Vintage CHAMP O Gauge Road Name Decals N 62 Missouri Pacific | |
1 Bid | US $2.95 | 11h 15m |
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Atlas O Trainman GP 15 Missouri Pacific 1630 3 Rail TMCC Locomotive Mint OB | |
10 Bids | US $170.49 | 11h 15m |
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Roundhouse Missouri Pacific MP 50 foot gondola partially assembled | |
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US $7.50 | 11h 33m |
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Athearn Genesis HO Scale Missouri Pacific 1582 GP15 1 | |
0 Bid | US $136.70 | 11h 59m |
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ATLAS O SD40 UNION PACIFIC MISSOURI PACIFIC | |
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US $350.00 | 12h 52m |
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