| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
| Contents | ||
| Southern Pacific Railroad | |
|---|---|
| SP corporate logo | |
| Reporting marks | SP |
| Locale | California to New Orleans, LA |
| Years of operation | 1865 – 1996 |
| Track gauge | 4' 8.5" with some 3' gauge branches |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, CA |
The Southern Pacific Railroad ( AAR reporting mark SP) was an American railroad. The railroad was founded in 1865, forming part of the Central Pacific Railroad empire.
By 1900, the Southern Pacific Company had grown into a major railroad system that incorporated many smaller companies, such as the Texas and New Orleans Railroad and Morgan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad , and that extended from New Orleans through Texas to El Paso, across New Mexico and through Tucson, Arizona, to Los Angeles, throughout most of California including San Francisco and SacramentoSacramento is the county seat of Sacramento County, California and the capital of the U. state of California. It was founded in December 1848 by John Sutter. Sacramento was an outgrowth of Sutter's Fort which was established by his father Captain John Sut; it absorbed the Central Pacific Railroad extending eastward across NevadaNevada is a state located in the western United States. The population, as of 2000, is 1,998,257. Nevada is the fastest growing state in the country. Between 2000 and 2003, Nevada's population increased 12. 2%, while the USA's population increased 3. to Ogden, and had lines reaching north throughout and across OregonOregon is a state located in the western United States bordering the Pacific Ocean, California, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. Its northern border lies along the Columbia River and the east along the Snake River. Two north-south mountain ranges the Coasta to PortlandPortland is the largest city in Oregon, and county seat of Multnomah County. It is a major Pacific seaport located about sixty miles from the west coast of the United States, situated on both sides of the Willamette River, just south of its confluence wit.
On August 9August 9 is the 221st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (222nd in leap years), with 144 days remaining. Events 48 BC Roman Civil War: Battle of Pharsalus Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus and Pompey flees to Egypt. 378 Battle of, 19881988 is a leap year starting on Friday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 2 Georgia celebrates its bicentennial statehood. January 9 Connecticut celebrates its bicentennial statehood. January 26 Australia celebrates its bicentennial day., the Interstate Commerce CommissionThe American Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 created the Interstate Commerce Commission . Members of the commission were appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. This was the first of the so-called Fourth Branch agencies. Its aim was to approved the purchase of the Southern Pacific by Rio Grande Industries, the company that controlled the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. The Rio Grande officially took control of the Southern Pacific on October 13, 1988. After the purchase, the combined railroad kept the Southern Pacific name due to its brand recognition in the railroad industry and with customers of both constituent railroads.
The Southern Pacific was taken over by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1996 following years of financial problems.
The railroad is also noteworthy for being the defendant in the landmark 1886 United States Supreme Court case Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad which is often interpreted as having established certain corporate rights under the Constitution of the United States.