Leland Stanford signed Bodie Bluff Consolidation Mining Co. - 1860's circa Autograph Mining Stock Certificate

Amasa Leland Stanford (1824-1893) was an influential American entrepreneur, politician, and the founder of Stanford University. After losing his law library and other possessions in a fire in 1852, he relocated to California to pursue gold mining at Michigan Bluff in Placer County. He later partnered with his three brothers, who had already settled on the Pacific coast, and together they operated a general store catering to miners. During this period, he also served as a Justice of the Peace and played a key role in establishing the Sacramento Library Association, which evolved into the Sacramento Public Library.

In 1856, he moved to San Francisco, where he engaged in extensive mercantile activities. Stanford was a delegate at the 1860 Republican National Convention and, as one of The Big Four, he co-founded the Central Pacific Railroad Company in 1861, serving as its president. Under his leadership, the company constructed 530 miles of railroad over the mountains in just 293 days. He oversaw the building of the first transcontinental railway line across the Sierra Nevada and famously drove in the golden spike on May 10, 1869. In 1872, Stanford commissioned Eadweard Muybridge to utilize newly developed photographic technology to determine if galloping horses ever lifted all four hooves off the ground, which was confirmed to be true. This endeavor is considered a precursor to motion picture technology.

Leland Stanford held the position of president of the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1885 to 1890, while also leading the Central Pacific Railroad until his death in 1893. As a railroad developer, he promoted Chinese immigration to supply labor for railroad construction. However, during times of job scarcity, he scapegoated these workers. Stanford advocated for the California legislature to enact taxes and discriminatory regulations aimed specifically at the Chinese population. A member of the Republican Party, he was politically engaged and served as the eighth Governor of California. During his governorship, he successfully halved the state's debt and championed forest conservation. Following his tenure, the governorship term was extended from two years to four years, reflecting legislation enacted during his administration. He also served just over one term in the United States Senate from 1885 until his death in 1893 at the age of 69.

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