Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “19th century farming”
Railroads: The Engine of Agricultural Expansion In the mid-1860s, railroads became one of the most powerful forces driving the expansion of American agriculture. As new lines crisscrossed the nation, they connected rural farmers to distant cities and ports, turning isolated homesteads into key suppliers for a growing industrial economy. This new transportation network dramatically increased access to markets, reduced costs, …
Reaching the Mississippi: The Edge of the Frontier By 1813, America’s western frontier stretched to the Mississippi River, marking a major milestone in the nation’s expansion. At its heart stood St. Louis, Missouri—the largest town on the frontier and a hub for trade and travel. Even then, St. Louis was known as the “Gateway to the West,” a fitting title …
The Civil War’s Wheat Boom During the Civil War, wheat became one of the most valuable crops in the United States. With soldiers and civilians alike needing bread and other staples, demand soared—and so did prices. Farmers across the Midwest and East quickly responded, planting more wheat than ever before. Fields that once held diverse crops were converted to wheat …
Agricultural Expansion and Innovation As America moved into the late 19th century, farming continued to evolve beyond the grain fields that once defined early agriculture. By the 1880s and 1890s, attention shifted toward improving animal production and enhancing meat quality. This era of innovation marked a pivotal moment when farmers and entrepreneurs alike began to see livestock nutrition as the …
America’s Agricultural Roots In the early 1800s, American agriculture was the backbone of the national economy. As Mark Oppold explains in An American Agriculture History Minute, most citizens relied on farming not only for income but also for food security. Families grew crops and raised animals primarily to sustain themselves, with only a small portion sold at nearby local markets. …
The Iron Tracks That Changed Rural America I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Railroads dramatically changed the face of agriculture and rural America as the nation expanded westward. The idea of a “rail highway” was first envisioned by Colonel John Stevens in 1812, marking the beginning of a transportation revolution that would reshape how goods—and people—moved across …
