History Corner

One of the threads that run through history is our need for transportation. Much of U.S. history has involved railroads because the invention and development of the steam locomotive, and using them to pull cars on steel rails, changed the course of human life as much as almost anything in history.

When it came into use in the early 1800s, the steam locomotive was the fastest machine on earth. One of the first steam locomotives, built in 1825, traveled about 15 mph. As technology improved, locomotives like the John Bull in the 1830s could reach 25 - 30 mph. To the modern mind, this seems very slow, but to people at the time, these were astonishing speeds. Over long distances, stage coaches averaged 5 - 6 mph. The fastest long distance horse travel was the Pony Express, which averaged 9 mph over long distances. A locomotive could triple that speed and keep it up as long as water and fuel lasted.

Humans had no experience with such speeds. No one had ever traveled at such incredible velocity, and this totally new phenomenon worried them. Since humans had not evolved to deal with such speeds, it was thought we had no way to mentally deal with it. There were concerns that high speeds could overwhelm the brain, leading to confusion, dizziness, or even insanity. Some believed that traveling faster than 30 mph could cause the human body to suffer serious physiological effects, such as difficulty breathing or even organ failure. A few early skeptics feared that if a person traveled too fast, their body might literally fall apart due to the forces involved.

But the advantages of rail travel quickly overcame any negative speculation. Railroads virtually shrank the world. Journeys that took days were reduced to hours by rail. A letter that took weeks or months to arrive, now took days. And since telegraph lines usually accompanied a railroad, instantaneous communication became routine.

With rare exceptions, a train could travel regardless of conditions that made wagon roads impassible: rain, mud, wind

In the big picture of history, the development of railroads in the United States is a remarkably short story. The first vehicles to run on rails in this country appeared about 1800. The rails were made of wood, and the vehicles were pulled by horses. The first steam-powered locomotive to operate in America was the British “Stourbridge Lion” in 1829. As it became apparent that steam locomotives were practical, others quickly followed. In only the next twenty years, 9,000 miles of steel rails were laid—all in the eastern part of the nation.

By the time the Civil War started in 1861, a maze of railroads covered the northern states. There were at least 3 mainline routes between New York and Chicago. Rail lines were less common in the more agrarian South, but they still served a vital role in the economy.

In 1863, construction began on a monumental project: a rail line spanning the American continent from coast to coast. Progress was slow until the war ended in April of 1865. This first transcontinental rail line was completed in 1869. By this time, westward migration and settlement was surging, and demand for rail lines was intense. Between 1870 and 1920, nearly 20 new miles of railroad were built every day! Railroads were the biggest industry in the U.S. and dominated the economy.

That first transcontinental line transformed the supply line to the booming mining camps in the new Idaho Territory. Before this time, freight wagons had journeyed from Umatilla Landing on the Columbia River, and then over the Blue Mountains. Kelton, Utah, on the new railroad, became the new supply point. By modern highway, the distance from Umatilla to Boise is 263 miles, and Boise is 241 miles from Kelton. That’s not a big difference in miles, but avoiding the Blue Mountains was easier. Plus, I’ll bet rail service to Kelton had some advantages over a stern-wheeler pushing it’s way against the Columbia’s current to Umatilla Landing.

Kelton is now a ghost town. An interesting item from Wikipedia: “In the 1870s and early 1880s, the Wells Fargo stage line running between Kelton and several gold mines in Idaho and Montana was robbed more often than any other stage line in the Old West. Treasure hunters still search for the hundreds of thousands of unrecovered dollars rumored to be cached in the nearby City of Rocks.”

Continued next week.

The Council Valley Museum is now open for the season. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. To 4:00 p.m. We decided not to be open on Sundays, as visits have been so sparse as to make it not worth having a volunteer there.

The road to Sheep Rock overlooking Hells Canyon should be open soon. (Editor’s note: The road to Sheep Rock is open. We took a family drive there on June 14) I can take you on a tour of all the history of the area between there and Council – a trip including most of the Seven Devils Mining District mines and towns that can take most of a day – for $10. I’ll be telling you all about the history of all the places along the way, and even show you old pictures of the spots. Actually it will be a recording of me that will play on your cell phone that will automatically start when you reach each location. It’s amazing technology and doesn’t even need cell service to work. You can pick up a tour at the museum or email me at dalefisk70@gmail.com.

I will be giving a major presentation about Mesa Orchards on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Meadows Depot, featuring about 100 photos, some of which were only recently discovered.

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