Fascinating history of the construction of the competitive transportation system in the inland Columbia River basin in the 19th century that linked the Pacific Northwest to eastern markets and provided easier access to the Orient. This volume covers the origins of the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Oregon Railway and Navigation Co., the rise and fall of Henry Villard's first empire, and the completion of overland railways converging on the Columbia Gateway. The author successfully conveys the excitement as well as the enormous amount of time, money and hard work required to build the Pacific Northwest rail lines. Illustrated with black and white photos. With maps. 202 pages with index.

1800-1899, Geschichte (1879-1884), Geschichte 1879-1884, History, Northern Pacific Railroad Company, Northern Pacific Railroad Company History 19th century, Oregon Pacific & Eastern Railway, Oregon Pacific & Eastern Railway History 19th century, Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, Railroads, Railroads United States History 19th century

1 Northern Pacific 2 Oregon Steam Navigation 3 Henry Villard's Debut 4 Walla Walla & Columbia River 5 Oregon Railway & Navigation 6 The Lake Pend d'Oreille Division 7 The Blind Pool 8 The Upper River and the Southern Interior 9 Through to Portland 10 Pend d'Oreille, Clark's Fork, and the Last Spike 11 Henry Villard's Downfall 12 The Bridge at Ainsworth 13 Columbia & Palouse 14 Blue Mountain Station and Centerville 15 Over the Blue Mountains 16 "On the Road, and Off"EpilogueNotesBibliographyIndex