jan 1, 1863 - Omaha Surveyors

Description:

When Abraham Lincoln named Council Bluffs, Iowa, as the eastern terminus of the railroad, Durant instead sent surveyors across the river to Omaha, where he held property, avoiding the cost of a big river bridge. The exact date is not well documented, but the surveying efforts were underway by the spring of 1863. The surveyors' task was to map out the initial route and assess the feasibility of various segments of the proposed track, ensuring that the railroad could be built efficiently and effectively from Omaha westward. This surveying effort was crucial in the planning and eventual construction of the transcontinental railroad.

Added to timeline:

Date: