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AP19:043
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2019
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State Archives Releases New Digital Exhibit Featuring the History of the Transcontinental Railroad in California
SACRAMENTO, CA - The California State Archives has released its latest digital exhibit, “Making the Grade: California and the Transcontinental Railroad,” to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869. This is the State Archives eighteenth online exhibit to be hosted by Google Arts & Culture. Secretary Padilla has made digitizing the treasures of the State Archives a priority.
You can view “Making the Grade: California and the Transcontinental Railroad” here.
“The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 was a transformative event in California history,” said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. “The completion of the railroad connected California with the rest of the country, helping to propel the Golden State to its status as one of the nation's key economic engines. The State Archives has compiled records, photos, and research that helps tell the story behind this major feat of engineering. This exhibit provides a glimpse into the work of engineers who braved treacherous conditions to map the Sierra, and the often brutal working conditions endured by Chinese laborers who built the trap. These are important stories that should not be forgotten."
This exhibit documents the Golden State history of the overland route’s completion, using original legislative documents, letters, pamphlets, as well as the Theodore Judah Map, a 66 foot long map that is considered to be the first complete rail map of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
You can view a digitized version of the Theodore Judah map here.
About Google Arts & Culture
Google Arts & Culture is a new, immersive way to experience art, history, culture and world wonders from over a thousand organizations worldwide. Google Arts & Culture has been created by the Google Cultural Institute and it is available for free for everyone on the web, on iOS and Android. Read more here.
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