The Jarrett-Palmer Express of 1876, Coast to Coast in Eighty-Three Hours

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Readers are invited to relive an era when riding a transcontinental train was a momentous experience. The Jarrett Palmer Express of 1876 is said to be "the most important American train journey of the nineteenth century." Not only did it require enormous preparation, but it was a highly hazardous undertaking, which, against all odds, came to successful completion. The record of eighty-three hours, thirty-nine minutes remained unbroken until 1906. The chronicles of this spectacular journey begin with an introduction to theater producer Henry C. Jarrett and his partner Henry (Harry) Palmer. Philadelphia, the cradle of the nation, was selected to host the American Centennial celebration, and invitations went out all over the world. The fertile mind of Jarrett pondered a way to use the excitement generated by the Centenary to promote his theater production. The idea came to him of an express, cross-country railroad trip as an adjunct to the Centenary celebration. These pages hold the fascinating account of this four-day journey and its preparations. Numerous period illustrations, a bibliography, and an index to full names, places and subjects add to the value of this work. J. C. Ladenheim 2008, 5.5" x 8.5", paper, index, 102 pp.ISBN: 9780788445590 101-L4559 Show more