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The Kansas Pacific Railway was originally established in 1863 under the name Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western Railroad.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western Railroad was originally established in 1855. In 1863, it was reorganized under the name Union Pacific Eastern Division, which later became the Kansas Pacific Railway.
The Union Pacific Eastern Division was authorized by Congress to serve as the primary, single transcontinental railroad route.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Union Pacific Eastern Division was authorized by Congress as part of the Pacific Railway Act, but its purpose was to serve as a secondary, more southerly branch of the transcontinental railroad, not the primary, single route.
The initial plan for the Union Pacific Eastern Division involved building westward from Fort Riley, Kansas, to connect with the main Union Pacific line in Nebraska.
Answer: False
Explanation: The original plan was to construct a line westward from Kansas City, Kansas, across the state to Fort Riley, and then proceed north to connect with the Union Pacific main line at Fort Kearny in Nebraska, not from Fort Riley itself.
The historical context of 'Bleeding Kansas' did not influence the U.S. government's decision to extend railroad routes into the state.
Answer: False
Explanation: The construction was partly driven by the U.S. government's desire to extend transportation routes into Kansas. This region had been a site of significant conflict between Union and Confederate sympathizers, known as Bleeding Kansas, even before the American Civil War.
Construction on the Kansas Pacific's main line westward from Kansas City commenced in the year 1869.
Answer: False
Explanation: Construction on the Kansas Pacific's main line westward from Kansas City commenced in September 1863, not 1869.
By 1866, the Kansas Pacific Railway had reached Salina, Kansas, establishing it as a major terminus.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific Railway reached Salina, Kansas, in 1867, not 1866. By the fall of 1866, the line had reached Junction City, which served as the terminus of the first division.
A legislative act in 1868 authorized the extension of the Kansas Pacific Railway towards the Pacific coast, including funding.
Answer: False
Explanation: While a legislative act in 1868 authorized the extension of the Kansas Pacific Railway towards the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific coast, it did not include any allocated government funding for this construction.
What was the initial name of the railway that was later reorganized as the Union Pacific Eastern Division and subsequently became the Kansas Pacific Railway?
Answer: Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western Railroad
Explanation: The Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western Railroad originated in 1855 and was later reorganized in 1863 under the name Union Pacific Eastern Division, which eventually became the Kansas Pacific Railway.
Under which legislative act was the Union Pacific Eastern Division authorized by the U.S. Congress?
Answer: The Pacific Railway Act
Explanation: The Union Pacific Eastern Division was authorized by the United States Congress as part of the Pacific Railway Act.
What was the intended purpose of the Union Pacific Eastern Division?
Answer: To create a second, more southerly branch of the transcontinental railroad
Explanation: The Union Pacific Eastern Division was chartered by Congress with the intention of creating a second, more southerly branch of the transcontinental railroad, running parallel to the main Union Pacific line.
Which city was the starting point for the Kansas Pacific's main line construction westward?
Answer: Kansas City, Kansas
Explanation: Construction of the Kansas Pacific's main line westward from Kansas City began in September 1863.
Which Kansas city became the terminus of the first division of the Kansas Pacific line by the fall of 1866?
Answer: Junction City
Explanation: By the fall of 1866, the railroad had reached Junction City, Kansas, which became the terminus of the first division and saw the construction of a roundhouse.
What major obstacle hindered the Kansas Pacific's planned extension towards the Rocky Mountains in 1868?
Answer: Absence of allocated government funds
Explanation: While a legislative act in 1868 authorized the extension of the Kansas Pacific Railway towards the Rocky Mountains, no government funds were allocated for this construction, posing a significant obstacle.
The company officially adopted the name Kansas Pacific Railway in 1869, following Congressional approval.
Answer: True
Explanation: The company officially adopted the name Kansas Pacific Railway in 1869, and this change was formalized by an Act of the United States Congress in March 1869.
Denver, Colorado, actively resisted the extension of the Union Pacific lines to reach their city due to fears of competition.
Answer: False
Explanation: Denver residents actively lobbied for the extension of the railway lines to reach their city, rather than resisting it, due to their eagerness to be connected to the national network.
By March 1870, the Kansas Pacific Railway's westward construction line had reached Denver, Colorado.
Answer: False
Explanation: By March 1870, the Kansas Pacific Railway's westward construction line had reached Kit Carson, Colorado. Construction eastward from Denver was initiated concurrently, indicating Denver was not yet reached by the westward line at that specific date.
The two branches of the Kansas Pacific Railway met in Denver, Colorado, marking the completion of the line.
Answer: False
Explanation: The two branches of the Kansas Pacific Railway met at Comanche Crossing (later Strasburg) in Colorado on August 15, 1870, not in Denver.
The completion of the Kansas Pacific's line in 1870 established a continuous coast-to-coast railway network across the United States.
Answer: True
Explanation: The completion of the Kansas Pacific's line, marked by the meeting of its branches at Strasburg on August 15, 1870, signified the establishment of a true coast-to-coast railway network across the United States.
The Denver Pacific Railway connected Denver to the Union Pacific at Omaha, Nebraska.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Denver Pacific Railway connected Denver to the Union Pacific at Cheyenne, Wyoming, not at Omaha, Nebraska.
Until 1872, passengers traveling coast-to-coast by rail still had to use a boat to cross the Missouri River.
Answer: True
Explanation: While the Utah golden spike ceremony in 1869 linked the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, passengers still faced a water crossing of the Missouri River between Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska, until 1872. The Kansas Pacific's completion provided a more continuous rail link.
An 1869 map of the Kansas Pacific main line showed the full route completed to the Pacific coast.
Answer: False
Explanation: An 1869 map of the Kansas Pacific main line primarily illustrated the extent of land grants available for settlers. At that time, the line had only reached western Kansas and was not completed to the Pacific coast.
When did the company officially change its name to Kansas Pacific Railway?
Answer: 1869
Explanation: The company officially adopted the name Kansas Pacific Railway in 1869, following Congressional approval.
How did Denver residents react to the prospect of the Kansas Pacific Railway reaching their city?
Answer: They actively lobbied for the connection.
Explanation: Residents of Denver, Colorado, were eager to be connected to the national railway network and actively lobbied for the extension of the Union Pacific lines to reach their city.
Where did the two branches of the Kansas Pacific Railway converge on August 15, 1870?
Answer: Comanche Crossing, Colorado
Explanation: The two Kansas Pacific branches converged on August 15, 1870, on the Colorado Eastern Plains at a location known as Comanche Crossing, later renamed Strasburg.
What significant event occurred on August 15, 1870, related to the Kansas Pacific Railway?
Answer: The line's two branches met, completing a coast-to-coast network.
Explanation: On August 15, 1870, the two branches of the Kansas Pacific Railway met at Comanche Crossing, Colorado, marking the completion of a continuous coast-to-coast railway network across the United States.
The Denver Pacific Railway's completion in June 1870 connected Denver to which major railroad line?
Answer: The Union Pacific at Cheyenne
Explanation: The Denver Pacific Railway completed its main line in June 1870, connecting Denver to the Union Pacific at Cheyenne, Wyoming.
What role did the Kansas Pacific Railway play in the late 19th-century American railway system?
Answer: It served as a crucial feeder line, extending the national network westward and opening the central Great Plains.
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific Railway served as a crucial feeder line to the transcontinental system, extending the national railway network westward across Kansas and into Colorado, and opening up settlement in the central Great Plains.
What was the significance of the Kansas Pacific's line connecting Kansas City to Denver in 1870?
Answer: It represented the final connection needed for a coast-to-coast railway network.
Explanation: The link provided by the Kansas Pacific Railway from Kansas City to Denver represented the final connection needed to complete the coast-to-coast railway network in the United States in 1870.
The Kansas Pacific Railway's main line was intended to facilitate what primary goal?
Answer: Opening up settlement of the central Great Plains
Explanation: The main line of the Kansas Pacific Railway was intended to furnish a principal transportation route that would open up settlement of the central Great Plains.
Land grants provided to the Kansas Pacific Railway were intended solely for the railroad's own operational use.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Pacific Railway Act granted large tracts of land to the railroad along its mainline. These grants were intended to be distributed to homesteaders, encouraging settlement and economic activity to sustain the railroad, not solely for operational use.
The Kansas Pacific Railway faced significant financial challenges in extending its line due to a collapse in railroad investments after the Civil War.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific Railway faced significant financial difficulties in extending its line, partly due to a general collapse in railroad investments that occurred following the conclusion of the American Civil War.
The Colorado extension of the Kansas Pacific Railway was primarily financed by American industrialists.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific began construction on its Colorado extension in October 1869, supported by German investors, not primarily by American industrialists.
What was the primary purpose of the land grants given to the Kansas Pacific Railway under the Pacific Railway Act?
Answer: To encourage settlement and economic activity by distributing land to homesteaders
Explanation: The land grants were intended to encourage settlement and economic activity by distributing land to homesteaders, thereby fostering the growth and sustainability of the railroad.
What group provided the financial backing for the Kansas Pacific to begin its Colorado extension in October 1869?
Answer: German investors
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific began construction on its Colorado extension in October 1869, supported by German investors.
What did an 1869 map of the Kansas Pacific main line primarily illustrate?
Answer: The extent of land grants available for settlers
Explanation: An 1869 map of the Kansas Pacific main line primarily illustrated the extent of land grants available for settlers. At that time, the line had only reached western Kansas.
Jay Gould gained control of the Kansas Pacific Railway in 1874, shortly after its completion.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jay Gould, a significant investor in the Union Pacific Railroad, effectively gained control of the Kansas Pacific Railway in 1874.
The Kansas Pacific and Denver Pacific railways were consolidated into the Santa Fe Railroad in 1880.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1880, under the direction of Jay Gould, the Kansas Pacific and the Denver Pacific railways were consolidated into the Union Pacific Railroad, not the Santa Fe Railroad.
The Union Pacific planned to extend the former Kansas Pacific mainline through the Rockies but abandoned the idea when competition increased.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the consolidation, the Union Pacific considered extending the old Kansas Pacific mainline through the Rockies. However, after competition from the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad subsided when the latter withdrew its own transcontinental plans, the Union Pacific lost interest in this extension.
A standard gauge rail line finally crossed the Rocky Mountains west of Denver to reach Salt Lake City in 1934.
Answer: True
Explanation: A standard gauge rail network west from Denver did not cross the Rockies to reach Salt Lake City until 1934, with the completion of the Dotsero Cutoff.
The Supreme Court heard a land title dispute involving the Kansas Pacific Railway in the case of Kansas Pacific R. Co. v. Dunmeyer in 1885.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1885, the Kansas Pacific Railway was involved in a significant land title dispute that was heard by the Supreme Court in the case of Kansas Pacific R. Co. v. Dunmeyer.
Which investor gained effective control of the Kansas Pacific Railway in 1874?
Answer: Jay Gould
Explanation: Jay Gould, an investor in the Union Pacific Railroad, effectively gained control of the Kansas Pacific Railway in 1874.
In what year were the Kansas Pacific and Denver Pacific railways consolidated into the Union Pacific Railroad?
Answer: 1880
Explanation: In 1880, under the direction of Jay Gould, the Kansas Pacific and the Denver Pacific railways were consolidated into the Union Pacific Railroad.
Why did the Union Pacific eventually abandon plans to extend a line west of Denver through the Rockies?
Answer: The competing Burlington line withdrew its own transcontinental plans.
Explanation: The Union Pacific lost interest in extending a line west of Denver after competition from the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad subsided when the latter withdrew its own transcontinental line plans.
When was the Dotsero Cutoff completed, finally allowing a standard gauge rail line west of Denver to reach Salt Lake City?
Answer: 1934
Explanation: The Dotsero Cutoff was completed in 1934, enabling a standard gauge rail line west from Denver to reach Salt Lake City.
What type of legal dispute involving the Kansas Pacific Railway was heard by the Supreme Court in 1885?
Answer: Land title dispute
Explanation: In 1885, the Kansas Pacific Railway was involved in a land title dispute that was heard by the Supreme Court in the case of Kansas Pacific R. Co. v. Dunmeyer.
Which entity eventually absorbed the Kansas Pacific Railway through consolidation?
Answer: The Union Pacific Railroad
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific Railway was succeeded by and consolidated into the Union Pacific Railroad in 1880.
William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was employed to hunt buffalo to supply meat for the track-laying crews.
Answer: True
Explanation: William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was employed to hunt buffalo, providing essential sustenance to the track-laying crews during the railroad's construction.
The 1953 film 'Kansas Pacific' depicted the railroad's construction during the westward expansion era.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1953 western movie 'Kansas Pacific,' starring Sterling Hayden and Eve Miller, depicted the struggle to build the railway against the backdrop of the American Civil War era.
In the 1978 film 'Superman', Lois Lane is shown traveling on a Kansas Pacific passenger train as a child.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the 1978 film 'Superman,' a scene depicts Lois Lane as a child traveling with her parents on a Kansas Pacific passenger train through Smallville, Kansas.
Grey Beard was a leader who supported the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railway.
Answer: False
Explanation: Grey Beard was a Southern Cheyenne chief who actively resisted the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railway, rather than supporting it.
The town of Perry, Kansas, was named after a prominent investor in the Union Pacific Railroad.
Answer: False
Explanation: The town of Perry, Kansas, was named in honor of a president of the Kansas Pacific Railway, not a Union Pacific investor.
The Kansas Pacific Railway's headquarters were located in Denver, Colorado.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific Railway's headquarters were located in Wyandotte, Kansas (now part of Kansas City, Kansas), not in Denver, Colorado.
The Kansas Pacific Railway operated exclusively within the state of Kansas.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific Railway operated its lines primarily through Kansas and Colorado, not exclusively within Kansas.
Who was famously employed to hunt buffalo to feed the track-laying crews of the Kansas Pacific Railway?
Answer: William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody
Explanation: William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was employed to hunt buffalo, providing essential sustenance to the track-laying crews during the railroad's construction.
Who was Grey Beard, mentioned in relation to the Kansas Pacific Railway?
Answer: A Southern Cheyenne chief who resisted construction
Explanation: Grey Beard was a Southern Cheyenne chief who actively resisted and fought against the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railway.
The town of Perry, Kansas, was named in honor of whom?
Answer: A Kansas Pacific Railway president
Explanation: The town of Perry, Kansas, was named in honor of a president of the Kansas Pacific Railway.
Where were the Kansas Pacific Railway's headquarters located?
Answer: Wyandotte, Kansas
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific Railway's headquarters were located in Wyandotte, Kansas, which is now part of Kansas City, Kansas.
Which states were the primary operational territories for the Kansas Pacific Railway?
Answer: Kansas and Colorado
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific Railway operated its lines primarily through the states of Kansas and Colorado.
What was the track gauge used by the Kansas Pacific Railway?
Answer: Standard gauge (4 feet 8 1/2 inches)
Explanation: The Kansas Pacific Railway utilized the standard gauge track width of 4 feet 8 1/2 inches (1,435 mm).