Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by alteria 2425 days ago
The big transcontinental railroads own several feet around the railroad, which is prime real estate for cables and the like.
2 comments
vidanay 2425 days ago
Historical note: A significant portion of that land was granted by the US government in the 19th century to incentivize westward expansion.
link
beerandt 2424 days ago
I think you mean several miles. Which is why the PLSS grid looks like a checkerboard out west. Alternating sections for the public and the RR companies.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checkerboarding_(land)

link