Chinese Railroad Workers

Chinese railroad workers were laborers, primarily from China, who played a crucial role in constructing the United States' first transcontinental railroad in the 1860s. Facing difficult and dangerous conditions, they worked mainly on the Central Pacific Railroad, often performing demanding tasks like blasting tunnels and laying track through rugged terrain. Despite their significant contributions, they experienced discrimination, low wages, and harsh treatment. Their work helped connect the East and West coasts, facilitating trade, migration, and economic development, and their legacy highlights the vital role of immigrant labor in American history.