Union Pacific, building west from Omaha reached the 100th Meridian in October 1866. The 230 miles (375 km) of track assured the railroad of land grants, and the right to meet the Central Pacific, building east from CA.

To celebrate, an excursion train took dignitaries and reporters to the end of tracks, 40 miles (65 km) west of here in October 1866. This woodcut is from a German publication. It shows the return trip, with people posed around a sign in what is now Cozad NE.

The two rail lines would be joined west of Ogden UT in May 1869.