In the 1800’s railroads were changing the face of America, linking the coasts and opening up the west to settlers, travelers, and business people. While rail travel was a marked improvement in comfort over earlier forms of transport, the food available to passengers was typically expensive and of poor quality. Fred Harvey, an English immigrant, seized a business opportunity that eventually created the modern hospitality industry.
Fred Harvey’s Comes to America
When he was a teenager Fred Harvey immigrated to the United States, arriving in 1850 with $10 in is pocket. He found work in New York City, washing dishes and waiting tables in various eateries, all the while observing and learning the restaurant business. In 1856 the ambitious young Harvey made his way to St. Louis where he and a partner opened up their own restaurant.
With the outbreak of the Civil War Harvey’s restaurant closed, and he took a job with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. As he rose through the ranks Harvey’s work took him all across America where he experienced the typical bad food and service train travelers of that era were subjected to. Beans and biscuits were often the only fare available with little time allotted to finishing a meal before having to hurriedly reboard the train.
- Travel Inn Glasgow City Centre
- Abbey Travel
Travel In Luxury in our Luxury Minibuses 8-24 Seat Shuttle Bus Private or Corporate/Business All Luxury Vehicles Have Seat belts Air Conditioning, DVD & CD Player
- Eagls Government Travel Card
- Travelways Singapore
- Low Cost Travel Agents