More of Everything

As we close another chapter, we again pause to note changes that have occurred since the end of the previous chapter. Only 20 years separate these two maps, but the differences are stark.

Railroads continue to drive America's industrial growth, as four different transcontinental railways link the Eastern and Western halves of the nation. Steel production, turbo-charged by coal, is behind everything.

New urban areas concentrate the dynamic growth of business, while telephones provide the connective tissue that supports commerce.  Electricity is the spark that allows cities to literally glow in the dark.
Railroad and urban growth, 1870-1890 map

  Bulking Up
The 20 years that separate these two maps were witness to perhaps the single most powerful and rapid alteration of life to ever be experienced on Earth. This is particularly true in America, but also clearly evident around the world. Electricity is the accelerating X-factor, following so closely on the heels of steam power and steel production.

Railroad expansion, 1890 map

  Saturation Point?
The GREEN lines are the latest railroads, built since 1870, while PURPLE lines were built earlier. The new lines are mostly located west of Chicago, following the prevailing notion that railroads attract settlers, with business not far behind. Railroads attempt to lure settlers to dry prairie territory with misleading ads (lower left). In reality, the region lying west of the YELLOW dotted line is suitable for livestock, but crops will fail unless irrigated. Heading west, the land is first too dry, and then too mountainous.


Irrigation, 1890, map

  Water from Below
By 1890, irrigation is helping farmers grow crops in dry western regions. BLUE highlights indicate areas where sparse rainfall is supplemented by irrigation ditches. Steam-powered pumps are needed to raise water up from rivers, where water level is always lower than the surrounding land (lower right). Even in areas where ground water gushes up under natural pressure (top right), a steam engine might still be needed to drill down to the source of the water.