How did the debt cycle favor farmers in Texas?

Railroads in Texas

I. Problems with Transportation

1. Transportation was very limited

2. Rivers could only support shipping about 50 miles inland

3. Everything else was shipped by way of ox and cart

Railroads in Texas

II. Railroads to the Rescue!

1. TX gov’t allowed railroad companies to begin building track in the state!

2. Construction was paid for with land grants

3. 1876-1885 – Period of rapid expansion in Texas for railroads

4. 1890 – the state had more than 8,000 miles of track

5. TX led the nation in railroad track construction

Railroads in Texas

III. James Hogg 1. 1st governor of TX to be born in TX

2. He wanted to regulate railroad companies in TXa. He believed they were not

following the laws of TXb. Wanted to bring them under gov’t

control

3. Established the Railroad Commission in 1891a. Fought unfair practicesb. Established fair ratesc. Encouraged competition

Railroads in Texas

IV. Railroads Encourage Growth in TX

1. Early 1900’s – TX was shipping goods all over the US

2. Encouraged farmers to buy land for large, commercial farms

3. Farms sprang up along the railroad linesa. Farmers could ship their goods

faster and more efficiently4. Encouraged farmers to move to West

TX