in july of that year the tracks had been laid from columbia about halfway to where tinio has been laid from i-5. and all that year the railroad had been entertaining offers from various communities. cash, land, port facilities, whatever the city could put together to lure the railroad there. in july of 1873, in july of '14, the final decision was made and tacoma was selected. and the nurmtterminal city, the choice of conclusion for the line was setup not only to be an arrival point for goodies and travelers but also for the arrival of the telegraph, which meant news and banking and communications. so the course of the transcontinental railroad at the end of the 19th century was a big deal for the far west. the reason tacoma was picked by the mp, there's a multitude of reasons, but the primary reason is first of all it was an absolutely perfect harbor, especially for sailing vessels. but even today it's an ideal harbor. deep water harbor, tight flats and lots of areas for wharves. you could bring the train right up to the dock and be able to load goodies off and on the ships. so that wa