Were there any railroads west of the Mississippi river before civil war?

Yes, there were several railroads west of the Mississippi River before the Civil War. Here are a few examples:

1. Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad:

- Chartered in 1847

- Completed in 1859

- Connected Hannibal, Missouri, with St. Joseph, Missouri, along the Missouri River valley.

2. Chicago and Rock Island Railroad:

- Chartered in 1847

- Completed in 1854

- Connected Chicago, Illinois, with Rock Island, Illinois, on the Mississippi River.

3. Illinois Central Railroad:

- Chartered in 1851

- Completed in 1856

- Connected Chicago with Cairo, Illinois, at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

4. Texas and Pacific Railroad:

- Chartered in 1852

- Construction began in 1856

- Intended to connect Marshall, Texas, with El Paso, Texas, forming a southern transcontinental route but wasn't fully completed

until after the Civil War.

5. Sacramento Valley Railroad:

- Chartered in 1851

- Completed in 1856

- Connected Sacramento with Folsom, California.

These railroads played crucial roles in facilitating westward expansion, transporting settlers, agricultural products, and goods between the Mississippi River and the Pacific coast. They also contributed to the economic development of the regions they traversed.