In 1853 the US Army's topographic bureau set out to find the best transcontinental passages across the American West and scout routes for a railroad. The necessity of a passage from east to west coasts was growing more and more apparent as people headed to California in search of gold. Five survey teams were formed between 1853 and 1855: From Oklahoma to Los Angeles, St. Louis to San Francisco, Texas to Sand Diego, San Diego to Seattle, and St. Paul to the Puget Sound.