The Central Pacific Railroad reached Colfax, formerly Illinoistown, on September 1, 1865, and train service began four days later. For ten months, Colfax was a vital construction supply depot and a junction point for stage lines. It was renamed Governor Stanford in honor of Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the House of Representatives and later Ulysses S. Grant’s Vice President. The real assault on the Sierra began here.