It's probably a three-way tossup, depending on where your interests lie. It could be July 1, 1862 when President Lincoln set the route for the first transcontinental railroad, or it could be July 14, 1881 when Billy the Kid was killed in New Mexico Territory, or it could be several July 4th dates in the late 1800s when the rodeo was born.
The railroad route is the most significant for the whole nation, coming after years of angst and wrangling. Southern congressmen wanted a southern route,
Already Signed Up? Log in here.
Read this article now for Free!
Ready for a third free article? Create a free account by entering your email address and a password below.
— OR —
Sign Up Now for $29.95 a year and have immediate access to all of True West content, including the complete True West Archives dating back to 1953!
