- Established: Temporary, portable cities were constructed in railcars to provide services to workers, following the rails during the transcontinental construction period; from 1863 until the transcontinental railroad was completed; “Hells on Wheels” were utilized by both the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads; the concept continued on subsequent early railroads as they were constructed across the continent; a recent television series named “Hell on Wheels” introduced the concept to audiences, though the series was based on a southern railway, not on the Transcontinental Railroad
- Origin of Name: This general term seemed to accurately depict the largely lawless, existence that existed in railroad camps; murders and other serious crimes were rampant along the rails; virtually every vice seemingly known to man was readily available in the portable “cities-on-wheels,” but always for a price
- Historic Overview: Construction camp “cities” owned by Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads during the construction of the original transcontinental railroad’ since two to three miles of track were regularly laid each day; during their rush to join the rails, portable cities were established, existing largely on newly-laid tracks to keep up with the rapid pace of new rail construction; sleeping facilities, eating places, saloons, gambling houses, brothels and many more shady operations were aboard rail cars or often in tents and wooden buildings that could be assembled and disassembled in a short time.
- Location: No permanent locations ever existed for these portable cities; they’d spring up over-night, then travel on to their next location as soon as more track was laid
- No Permanent Population ever existed for “Hell on Wheels,” though they served thousands of laborers for both railroads
