Peter A. Dey
The railways that we now take for granted had to start somewhere, including as a vision for Peter A. Dey.
As one of the chief engineers for Union Pacific Railway in the 1860s, Dey designed much of the Union Pacific route that stretches from Iowa to Nevada. He designed railroads that cut through prairie and desert and that slice through mountains.
The fact that Interstate 80 closely follows the path charted by Dey and his fellow engineers more than a century ago is a testimony to their engineering skills.
Dey conducted the first survey of a railroad across the state of Iowa. From 1863-65, he helped direct surveys of the road to Promontory, helped secure land for right-of-way, ordered equipment, arranged tie contracts, raised funds for construction and served as chief engineer until resigning from the project over a disagreement with Union Pacific general manager Thomas Durant over propriety.
In his letter of resignation, Dey wrote that he wanted no part in repeating the mistakes that already had been made, and with reluctance “resigned the best position in my profession this country has ever offered to any man.”
Dey later was vindicated, most notably by E.H. Harriman, who, when straightening the main line in 1908, constructed the “Lane CutOff” directly across the route laid out by Dey.
Dey also was a banker and served as President of First National Bank in Iowa City for many years.