Hell on Wheels
Encyclopedia
The phrase "Hell on Wheels" was originally used to describe the itinerant collection of flimsily assembled gambling
houses, dance hall
s, saloons
, and brothels that followed the army of Union Pacific railroad workers westward as they constructed the American
transcontinental railroad
in the 1860s.
The huge numbers of wage-earning young men working in what was a remote wilderness, far from the constraints of home, proved to be a lucrative opportunity for those with expertise at separating such men from their money.
One early documentation of the term "Hell on Wheels" being used to describe the phenomenon was by Springfield, Massachusetts
Republican newspaper editor Samuel Bowles
, who also stated the followers were called "hangers-on."
The phenomenon is documented as far east as North Platte, Nebraska
. As the end of the line continually moved westward, Hell on Wheels followed along, reconstructing itself on the outskirts of each town that became in turn the center of activity for the Union Pacific's construction work.
All manner of criminal
activity was rampant in Hell on Wheels, with murders occurring on an almost nightly basis. Frequently, the more respectable element of a town temporarily hosting Hell on Wheels became fed up with the crime and organized to combat it. For example, in Laramie, Wyoming
, a conflict between town vigilantes and a Hell on Wheels criminal gang culminated in a protracted street battle.
An idealized image of Hell on Wheels is present in 1924 John Ford
's silent film The Iron Horse
.
AMC premiered a television drama series in November 2011 based upon and called Hell On Wheels
.
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
houses, dance hall
Dance hall
Dance hall in its general meaning is a hall for dancing. From the earliest years of the twentieth century until the early 1960s, the dance hall was the popular forerunner of the discothèque or nightclub...
s, saloons
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
, and brothels that followed the army of Union Pacific railroad workers westward as they constructed the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
transcontinental railroad
First Transcontinental Railroad
The First Transcontinental Railroad was a railroad line built in the United States of America between 1863 and 1869 by the Central Pacific Railroad of California and the Union Pacific Railroad that connected its statutory Eastern terminus at Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska The First...
in the 1860s.
The huge numbers of wage-earning young men working in what was a remote wilderness, far from the constraints of home, proved to be a lucrative opportunity for those with expertise at separating such men from their money.
One early documentation of the term "Hell on Wheels" being used to describe the phenomenon was by Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
Republican newspaper editor Samuel Bowles
Samuel Bowles (journalist)
Samuel Bowles III was an American journalist born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Beginning in 1844 he was the publisher and editor of The Republican , a position he held until his death in 1878....
, who also stated the followers were called "hangers-on."
The phenomenon is documented as far east as North Platte, Nebraska
North Platte, Nebraska
North Platte is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States. It is located in the southwestern part of the state, along Interstate 80, at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers forming the Platte River...
. As the end of the line continually moved westward, Hell on Wheels followed along, reconstructing itself on the outskirts of each town that became in turn the center of activity for the Union Pacific's construction work.
All manner of criminal
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
activity was rampant in Hell on Wheels, with murders occurring on an almost nightly basis. Frequently, the more respectable element of a town temporarily hosting Hell on Wheels became fed up with the crime and organized to combat it. For example, in Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie is a city in and the county seat of Albany County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 30,816 at the . Located on the Laramie River in southeastern Wyoming, the city is west of Cheyenne, at the junction of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 287....
, a conflict between town vigilantes and a Hell on Wheels criminal gang culminated in a protracted street battle.
An idealized image of Hell on Wheels is present in 1924 John Ford
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
's silent film The Iron Horse
The Iron Horse (film)
The Iron Horse is a silent film directed by John Ford in 1924. It was produced by Fox Film. -Synopsis:The film presents an idealized image of the construction of the American first transcontinental railroad. It culminates with the scene of driving of the golden spike at Promontory Summit on May...
.
AMC premiered a television drama series in November 2011 based upon and called Hell On Wheels
Hell on Wheels (TV series)
Hell on Wheels is an American dramatic television series created and produced by Joe and Tony Gayton. Set in 1865, the series centers on the settlement that accompanied the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, referred to as "Hell on Wheels" by the company men, surveyors, support...
.