Railroads and the Making of Modern America

Railroads and the Making of Modern America explores the dynamic social change that came between 1850 and 1900 with the growth of railroads, telegraphs, steam ships and other technologies. We concentrate on the railroad network, the nation's first major system. The railroad's expansion and development brought profound economic, social, and political changes.

This project aims to collect documentary materials on the railroads' social consequences and to create network visualizations that allow users to explore the roots of modern America.