There were 3 railroad tycoons that helped grow Washington state. These tycoons were Henry Villard, Jay Cooke and James Hill. All of these men helped build a railroad to Washington in some way or another. Building a railroad was important because it meant that people could travel easier and faster to Washington. This made Washington’s population grow. Henry Villard was a ship and railroad tycoon, therefore he owned many railroads and ships. One of the major railroads that he owned was the Northern Pacific Railroad. Villard did not start this railroad. In fact he bought the Northern Pacific from another railroad tycoon- Jay Cooke. Villard finished the railroad after he bought it in 1889. Buying almost bankrupt businesses such as the Northern