Central Pacific

Definition

The Central Pacific was one of the two companies involved in building the Transcontinental Railroad in the United States. It was responsible for constructing the western portion of the railroad, starting from Sacramento, California and going eastward.

Related terms

Union Pacific: The other company involved in building the Transcontinental Railroad. It started from Omaha, Nebraska and built westward to meet with the Central Pacific.

Promontory Summit: The location where both ends of the Transcontinental Railroad met in Utah on May 10, 1869.

Leland Stanford: One of the "Big Four" investors who financed and led construction of the Central Pacific portion of the Transcontinental Railroad.