Chinese Railroad Workers in the Sierra Nevada

Why it's great

Thousands of Chinese workers built the Central Pacific Railroad through the Sierra Nevada, digging tunnels and clearing rock by hand, in very dangerous conditions. This print from the 1870s shows the railroad climbing through the mountains.

🏛️ Part of history

Westward Expansion & the Frontier (1803–1890) — Thousands of Chinese workers built the Central Pacific Railroad through the Sierra Nevada, digging tunnels and clearing rock by hand, in very dangerous conditions.

Where to see it

📍 Location not recordedWe couldn't confirm where it hangs today. Museums sometimes move or lend paintings, so check the museum's website before you travel.

Hang it on your wall

⬇ Hi-res download 1,284 × 868 px · 1.1 megapixels This is the largest scan on Wikimedia Commons, which is fairly small for a big print. The museum that owns it may offer a larger one. File page & license ↗

Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:

💵 Budget Etsy ↗ Posters and simple prints from small sellers, usually the lowest prices. 🖼️ Mid-range Fine Art America ↗ Good printing on paper, canvas or metal, made to order, with framing options. 🏛️ High-end Meisterdrucke ↗ Museum-grade giclée prints on archival paper or canvas, the closest to the real thing.

These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.

About the artist

Illustrator B&H

Unknown or anonymous artist

This print was made by an illustrator who signed it with the initials B&H. Prints like this appeared in magazines and books to show readers far away what the West looked like.