Politics and Politics and ProgressProgress

Transportation and IndustryTransportation and Industry

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Texans Demand Railroad Texans Demand Railroad ServiceService Before 1900 most families traveled by Before 1900 most families traveled by

wagons and buggies.wagons and buggies. The poor transportation system The poor transportation system

slowed the development of Texasslowed the development of Texas Farmers and merchants in many Farmers and merchants in many

areas of the state could not market areas of the state could not market their products profitably. their products profitably.

Railroads could solve these problems Railroads could solve these problems with the promise to move people and with the promise to move people and goods quickly and cheaply.goods quickly and cheaply.

A Network of Steel A Network of Steel Connects TexasConnects Texas Before the Civil War, 11 railroad companies had Before the Civil War, 11 railroad companies had

constructed some 400 miles of track in Texas.constructed some 400 miles of track in Texas. In 1872 the first railroad connections were made In 1872 the first railroad connections were made

with other states.with other states. Many towns paid railroad companies to build lines Many towns paid railroad companies to build lines

through their communities.through their communities. The The Land Grant of 1876Land Grant of 1876 authorized 16 sections of authorized 16 sections of

land to be granted to a railroad company for every land to be granted to a railroad company for every mile of track that it laid.mile of track that it laid.

Companies built rails from the Gulf Coast Companies built rails from the Gulf Coast northward across the state, while other lines northward across the state, while other lines entered Texas from the east.entered Texas from the east.

By 1900 a network of railroads totaling some By 1900 a network of railroads totaling some 10,000 miles over Texas.10,000 miles over Texas.

Transportation ImprovesTransportation Improves Rainy weather turned unpaved roads into Rainy weather turned unpaved roads into

ruts and mud holes. Dust and dirt in dry ruts and mud holes. Dust and dirt in dry weather made travel equally unpleasant.weather made travel equally unpleasant.

Travel did improve in some cities.Travel did improve in some cities. Brick was the most common paving Brick was the most common paving

material, but cities experimented with material, but cities experimented with other products.other products.

Electric-powered trolleys were running Electric-powered trolleys were running by the 1890s.by the 1890s.

Ten years later, an occasional automobile Ten years later, an occasional automobile could be seen in Texas cities.could be seen in Texas cities.

Telephones in TexasTelephones in Texas Rapid communication made an Rapid communication made an

important contribution to the growth important contribution to the growth of industry.of industry.

Cotton brokers traded contracts to buy Cotton brokers traded contracts to buy and sell cotton much like investors buy and sell cotton much like investors buy and ell shares of stock today.and ell shares of stock today.

By 1882 many cities were connected By 1882 many cities were connected by the telephone.by the telephone.

Every telephone call had to be Every telephone call had to be connected by employees called connected by employees called operators.operators.

Industries Begin and Industries Begin and GrowGrow In 1870, Texas industry was in its infancy.In 1870, Texas industry was in its infancy.

Some industrial products in Texas were: Some industrial products in Texas were: gristmill, lumber, buggies, wagon, plows, gristmill, lumber, buggies, wagon, plows, boots, harnesses, saddles, textiles, bricks, boots, harnesses, saddles, textiles, bricks, furniture, fishnets, glue, and soap.furniture, fishnets, glue, and soap.

After the Civil War the meat-packing After the Civil War the meat-packing industry began.industry began.

In the next 30 years, several modern In the next 30 years, several modern packing plants were built, and refrigerated packing plants were built, and refrigerated railroad cars moved the meat to the railroad cars moved the meat to the customers.customers.

By 1900 manufacturing cottonseed into oil By 1900 manufacturing cottonseed into oil and other products became the second-and other products became the second-ranking industry in the state.ranking industry in the state.

Lumber and MineralsLumber and Minerals By 1900 lumbering was the most important By 1900 lumbering was the most important

and valuable industry in the state.and valuable industry in the state. After railroads were built to carry ore After railroads were built to carry ore

eastward, mining became an important part eastward, mining became an important part of the industrial economy.of the industrial economy.

Oilmen drilled the first wells and built the Oilmen drilled the first wells and built the first refineries for crude oil processing first refineries for crude oil processing during this time.during this time.

A hand-dug oil well in central Texas in 1878 A hand-dug oil well in central Texas in 1878 produced oil that was used as a medicine and produced oil that was used as a medicine and as a lubricant.as a lubricant.

Oil would not become a major industry in Oil would not become a major industry in Texas until the twentieth century.Texas until the twentieth century.