1. Railroads Link Montana to the Nation 1881-1915
Chapter 9
Railroads Link Montana to the Nation

2. Life before the trains…
People could only travel about 15 miles a day (From here to Livingston)
By stagecoach, it took over 18 hours to travel 120 miles
Travel was expensive and took a very long time

3. 1881 – The Utah and Northern
In 1869, the Union Pacific Railroad completed the first transcontinental railroad
By 1881, the Union Pacific RR ran from Utah to Butte, MT
Important to the mining industry because exports could now be transferred to a transcontinental line

4. Less Land for Natives
Before building railroads through tribal lands, the U.S. needed to negotiate right-of-ways (the legal right to cross someone’s property
In 1882, the Crow tribe ceded 1.5 million acres to the U.S. Government in return for money, peace, and cooperation.

5. Great Northern Railway
Pressured Congress to gain permission to cross Assiniboine, Gros Ventre, and Blackfeet reservation lands
These tribes were affected most by the construction of this railway
Railway goes right through the northern reservations

6. 1883 – The Northern Pacific Railroad
Over 2,000 miles of track needed to be installed
Financiers helped back railroads because they were expensive to build
Financiers – investors who finance huge projects
Instead of money, the Government gave the Northern Pacific land grants (free land that the federal government gives to a company to help them out)
Land Grant – 39 million acres of land
By 1900, the railway was the biggest land-owner in Montana
On September 8, 1883, Northern Pacific held a celebration at Gold Creek

7. 1887 – The Great Northern Railway
James J. Hill
Built the Great Northern Railway
Nicknamed the “Empire Builder”
Was a tycoon (wealthy businessman)
Did not need land grants, instead, he attracted big private investors to get money to build his railway

8. Great Northern Railway Continued
Stretched from Minnesota to Washington, crossing North Dakota and Montana
This route was special because it built (and became known as) the Hi-line. This is because it was the northernmost transcontinental route in the US

9. 1907 – The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad
Usually just called the “Milwaukee Road”
Montana’s only 20th century transcontinental railroad (sleek style, steel bridges, bright orange rail cars)
Route allowed the company to share in the business of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company (owned by John D. Ryan)
Came to Montana to construct a transcontinental line

10. Milwaukee Road Operated using electrified lines
Used so electric motors could pull trains over steep grades
John D. Ryan was also on the board of directors for Milwaukee Road
He owned Montana Power companies, many of which supplied electricity to the train company

11. Builders and Workers
Many were young, single, immigrant men who were able to move along with the building of the tracks
Northern Pacific and Great Northern hired Asian immigrants
Asian populations faced difficult situations:
They were discriminated against by whites because they would work for lower wages
They were not allowed to join the labor unions
They were not allowed to become U.S. citizens

12. Labor Unions Organizations of employees that bargain with employers
Created because workers complained of unsafe working conditions and low pay

13. Why were railroads important?
Railroads were vital to the growth of Montana’s industries because they could carry freight long distances quickly and inexpensively
Connected small towns to larger towns – in the early 1900’s, small towns and large cities were linked by short lines and branch lines between the main lines
Business leaders wanted railroads to connect to Montana because it would increase their ability to profit from Montana’s resources.
Railways transformed the daily lives of people in Montana by providing access to many goods and services

14. Transforming Montana
Northern Pacific railroad helped create Yellowstone National Park
Railroad officials asked that the land be set aside for “pleasuring ground” or a place for us to relax and have fun
Many towns were created because of the railroad, including Livingston!
Growth in industrialization affected Montana most after railways came to the state

15. Getting people to visit Montana
Transcontinental railways increased business and profit by advertising to bring people to Montana

17. The Downside Railroad owners invested in mining and lumber industries
People were unhappy with this because it caused some resentment over their political and economic power