In the construction of the California section of the Transcontinental Railroad, the main workforce was provided by Chinese immigrants. At first the Central Pacific Railroad (CPRR) company hired fifty Cantonese workers in February 1865. This first hiring was done as a test and after this more and more workers from China were hired. It is known that working conditions were harsh and despite the fact that white American workers were paid the same as the Chinese, white people were given accommodation and food. According to available statistics, the work group of this section of the railway reached 12,000 Chinese workers in 1868, representing 80% of the total workforce.
