Chinese Hired
In 1865, as the prosperity promised by gold mining diminished, Chinese workers shifted to constructing the Transcontinental Railroad. The manager of Central Pacific, Charles Crocker, decided to hire Chinese laborers after not finding enough white workers. His decision was initially questioned by business partners who doubted Chinese people's capabilities due to their small hands and stature, and their long-braided hair. The white workers originally called the Chinese "Crocker's pets," and implied they were no stronger than white women.
"They built the Great Wall of China, didn't they? Who said laboreres have to be white to build railroads?"
~ Charles Crocker
However, Chinese workers soon proved that they were completely capable of any work. The Central Pacific started with 21 Chinese workers in January 1864. By 1865, Chinese made up the majority of the workforce. Two year later, 90% of the workers were Chinese.
