Southern Pacific Railroad

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The Southern Pacific Railroad was the third railroad to offer "transcontinental" service in North America starting in 1883. It connected New Orleans, Louisiana, to California and eventually Oregon. As railroads developed in America settlers were attracted to nearby communities because the railroads provided access to markets. They could sell their products at distant markets, and buy products made far away. If an ancestor settled near a railroad, you may be able to trace their place of origin back to another place along the tracks.