Chapter 19, Student Web Activities, Texas and Texans, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 19: Politics and Progress
"Railroads in Texas"

Introduction
We take for granted that if we want to drive somewhere, there will be roads to drive on. In the late 1800s, however, the few hard-surfaced roads that existed in Texas were located in only a few cities. It was not until the railroads expanded that people in the outlying areas could much more easily take a trip into town, and farmers and ranchers could get their crops and cattle to markets. In this activity, you will learn more about the expansion of the railroads in Texas.

Destination Title: Texas Almanac

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Directions
Start at the Texas Almanac Web site.

Scroll down and click on Almanac Data.
Now click on Texas History.
Scroll down and click on Texas History Highlights.
Find and click on Railroads, Windmills, and Barbed Wire.
Read the information.

After you have read through the information, answer the following questions.

1. Why did the coming of the railroads signify the end of the cattle drives?

2. What was the first railroad in West Central Texas?

3. How did the state government lure the railroad companies to lay track through the state?

4. What happened to those communities that were too small to attract a transcontinental railroad?

5. When the new towns sprang up along the railroads, they often included at least one general store, a restaurant, a saloon, and a wagon yard. Imagine that you are setting up a small town or a shopping center today. In the space below, list at least ten businesses that you think should be set up in order to draw people to your town or shopping center. Think of the current needs and wants of people when making your list.