December 29, 1849 – Thirty concerned citizens from Marion County, Iowa petition the Hon. Manley Gifford – House of Representatives in Iowa City – demanding Iowa legislators to support Asa Whitney’s idea of a transcontinental railroad.
In the late 1840’s, a very determined dreamer/businessman from New York – Asa Whitney – began traveling the country, drumming up public support for his grand idea of a transcontinental railroad that reached to the Pacific Ocean.
While many wouldn’t think of this project as one to bless the under-served, Whitney’s driving force was to bring people together as one and find creative ways to esteem those who were being overlooked in our society.
Sadly, the U.S. Congress had turned him down in 1845, and again in 1848, but now – in 1849 – Whitney had a book and a speaking tour – getting more Americans behind him – including the voices of many Iowa citizens who saw our state as the centerpiece of such an endeavor.
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