California State Railway Museum

This excellent museum told the story of the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, and touched on its connection with the origins of the Civil War. In 1848 gold was discovered in Sacramento, starting the California gold rush. The railroad was completed in 1869. 30-year government bonds were sold to finance the project and the Central Pacific Railroad Company was granted land on either side of the track. The bonds were repaid in full and the railroad became a vitally important piece of national infrastructure.