After the Mexican-American War, Beckwith was appointed to explore the new territory that was annexed to the United States.
[2] The 1854 Beckwith Expedition began in Salt Lake City on April 3, 1854, heading west towards Nevada.
They group interacted with Latter Day Saints in the Salt Lake Valley to learn how to cultivate native plants.
[2] Beckwith disbanded his party after they reached the Sacramento River Valley, which was already known for its railroad suitability.
By the end of their expedition the team had managed to cross the Sierra Nevada, Rocky, and Wasatch mountains.
Their findings were published by the United States Department of War and presented to the Senate to inform their decision for the location of the Transatlantic Railroad.