"California presented to people a new model for the American Dream-one where the emphasis was on the ability to take risks, the willingness to gamble on the future." -Samuel Brannan

"The road must be built, amd you are the man to do it. Take hold of yourself. By building the Union Pacific, you will be the remebered man of your generation." -Abraham Lincoln

"The first reasure California began to surrender after the Gold Rush as the oldest: her land." -John Jakes