The Kansas Pacific Railway (KP) was a historic railroad company that operated in the western United States in the late 19th century. It was a federally chartered railroad, backed with government land grants. The railroad was originally titled the "Union Pacific, Eastern Division", although it was completely independent of the Union Pacific Railroad. At a time when the first transcontinental railroad was being constructed by the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads, it tried and failed to join the transcontinental ranks. The owners lobbied heavily in Washington, D.C. for public funding, but failed to fund continued construction west of Colorado. Instead, the Pennsylvania Railroad, working with Missouri financiers, designed the KP as a feeder line to the transcontinental system.
Transcontinental Railway is actually completed in Colorado
The Kansas Pacific Railway (KP) was a historic railroad company that operated in the western United States in the late 19th century.
Historical Significance
The Kansas Pacific Railway (KP) was a historic railroad company that operated in the western United States in the late 19th century.
Events Before
US postage stamps featuring scenes are issued for the first time, depicting a post horse and rider, a locomotive, a shie
US postage stamps featuring scenes are issued for the first time, depicting a post horse and rider, a locomotive, a shield, an eagle, and a ship, the Adriatic
Dmitri Mendeleev presents the first periodic table of the elements to the Russian Chemical Society
Dmitri Mendeleev presents the first periodic table of the elements to the Russian Chemical Society
Cincinnati Red Stockings become baseball's first professional team with ten salaried players
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869 were baseball's first all-professional team, with ten salaried players.
US Abolitionist Harriet Tubman marries civil war veteran Nelson Davis in Auburn NY
Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) was an American abolitionist and political activist. Tubman escaped slavery and rescued approximately 70 enslaved people, including members of her family and friends.
Hudson's Bay Company cedes its territory to Canada
The Hudson's Bay Company (abbreviated HBC and colloquially Hudson's Bay) is a Canadian holding company of department stores and commercial property.
Events After
Belgium disbands its salt tax
Belgium disbands its salt tax
Second German Empire is proclaimed by Kaiser Wilhelm I and Otto von Bismarck
Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Count of Bismarck-Schönhausen, Duke of Lauenburg (born Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck-Schönhausen; 1 April 1815 – 30 July 1898) was a German statesman and…
US President William McKinley (27) weds Ida Saxton (23) at the First Presbyterian Church in Canton
US President William McKinley (27) weds Ida Saxton (23) at the First Presbyterian Church in Canton
The Rugby Football Union is formed at a meeting of 21 clubs at the Pall Mall Restaurant, London, England
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for rugby union in England.
Journalist Henry Morton Stanley begins his famous expedition to Africa
Journalist Henry Morton Stanley begins his famous expedition to Africa
More from the 1870s
Belgium disbands its salt tax
Belgium disbands its salt tax
The Moerdijk railway bridge over Hollands Diep in South Holland opens, becoming the longest bridge in Europe at that tim
The Moerdijk railway bridge over Hollands Diep in South Holland opens, becoming the longest bridge in Europe at that time
Japan adopts the Gregorian calendar
Japanese calendar types have included a range of official and unofficial systems. At present, Japan uses the Gregorian calendar together with year designations stating the year of the reign of the…
New York City annexes the West Bronx
The boroughs of New York City are the five major governmental districts that compose New York City. They are the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on August 15, 1870?
- The Kansas Pacific Railway (KP) was a historic railroad company that operated in the western United States in the late 19th century. It was a federally chartered railroad, backed with government land grants. The railroad was originally titled the "Union Pacific, Eastern Division", although it was completely independent of the Union Pacific Railroad.
- Why is Transcontinental Railway is actually completed in Colorado significant?
- The Kansas Pacific Railway (KP) was a historic railroad company that operated in the western United States in the late 19th century.