A lecture and book-signing by Richard J. Orsi, Emeritus Professor of History, California State University, Hayward

Thursday, March 31, 2005

DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University

Reception 6 pm, Lecture 6:30 followed by book-signing

Dr. Orsi will examine new approaches to interpreting the significance of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the history of the American West during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  Contrary to the nearly universal, malevolent “Octopus” myth that dominates popular culture and standard historiography, the Southern Pacific identified its corporate wellbeing –long-term growth and reliability of rail traffic and the value of its lines and land grants – with economic and social development in its hinterlands.  The Southern Pacific’s settlement and environmental activities open up new insights not only into that corporation’s regional influence, but also into the general history of railroads and the West. 

Orsi’s presentation will introduce ideas from his upcoming book, Sunset Limited: The Southern Pacific Railroad and the Development of the American West (University of California Press, 2005), which is based on research in archives throughout the United States, including the DeGolyer Library at SMU.  Orsi spent weeks conducting research for his book at the DeGolyer last year as a Clements Center - DeGolyer research travel grant recipient. “The Southern Pacific collection at DeGolyer is one of the best in the world,” Orsi says. “It has a magnificent photograph collection of images that can’t be found anywhere else.”

This event is free and open to the public, though registration is required.