In the period from 1865 to 1869, 12,000 Chinese laborers helped build the first transcontinental railroad in the United States, connecting the East and West coasts through the Pacific Railway. These Chinese laborers, known as “huagong,” were the main builders of this huge and arduous project, which is considered one of the greatest engineering feats in American history.
To commemorate and raise awareness about this history and the contributions of the Chinese laborers to the construction and development of the United States, the New York chapter of the Asia Pacific Public Affairs Alliance (APAPA) and the Flushing Library jointly organized the “Huagong Railroad Construction History Photo Exhibition” during the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May. The opening ceremony took place on May 11 at the Flushing Library and the exhibition will be on display until May 31.
The transcontinental railroad across North America was constructed between 1865 and 1869, with 80% of the work undertaken by Chinese laborers. Approximately 12,000 Chinese workers, mainly from the Four Counties of Guangdong Province, participated in the project. They endured extreme weather conditions, traversed rugged mountains, worked in harsh and dangerous environments, and faced unimaginable challenges. Many Chinese laborers sacrificed their lives for this monumental task, such as in the winter of 1866 when 500 to 1,000 workers perished in an avalanche at the Sierra Nevada Pass. It was said that “every mile of railroad track laid had one Chinese worker buried beneath it,” hence the Chinese laborers were referred to as the “silent spikes.” Upon completion of the railroad, the journey time from New York to San Francisco, which previously took at least six months, was reduced to just 7 days.
APAPA President Xiaowei Wang mentioned that the exhibition features a collection of 60 historical photos, showcasing the remarkable speed at which Chinese laborers assisted in building the first transcontinental railroad across the United States amidst perilous and challenging working conditions from 1865 to 1869. The completion of the transcontinental railroad project transformed transportation and trade in the United States and had a profound impact on the American economy, a legacy that continues to this day.
Exhibition Dates: Until May 31
Exhibition Location: First floor of the Flushing Library (41-17 Main St., Flushing NY 11355)