The Southern Pacific Railroad was founded as a land-holding company in 1865. Its original charter called for the railroad to be built in southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. However, it later expanded to New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1885, Southern Pacific leased the operations of the Central Pacific Railroad, which technically remained a corporate entity until 1959, when it was formally merged into Southern Pacific.

By 1900, the Southern Pacific Company had grown into a major railroad system that incorporated many smaller companies, such as the Texas and New Orleans Railroad and Morgan’s Louisiana and Texas Railroad. Through the years, the line expanded to more than 13,000 miles of rail covering most of the southwestern United States.

On August 9, 1988, the Southern Pacific was sold to Rio Grande Industries, the company controlling the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. However, the railroad retained its name until Union Pacific took it over in 1996.

 

©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated May 2025.

Also See:

A Century of Railroad Building

Highwaymen of the Railroad

Linking the Oceans By Railroad

Railroad Main Page

Vintage Photographs of Railroads & Depots

 

“RAILROAD, n. The chief of many mechanical devices enables us to get away from where we are and to where we are no better off. For this purpose, the railroad is held in highest favor by the optimist, for it permits him to make the transit with great expedition.”

 – Ambrose Bierce