May 10
GOLDEN SPIKE DAY
The Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railways met on this day in 1869.
There was a grand celebration at Promontory Summit, Utah when, in honor of the linking of the two railways, a golden spike was driven into the railroad. The spike, valued at $400, was driven, along with bronze spikes into a laurelwood tie by the president of the Central Pacific, Leland Stanford. Some say Mr. Stanford missed on his first stroke.
Immediately after the celebration, the spikes and tie were removed and replaced with the standard pine tie and steel spikes.
Interestingly, the people involved in this historic moment were unaware of its significance in the great scheme of things; and no markings were left at the specific location of the meeting of the rails. It is possible that the point at Promontory is a little to the left or south or north or right of the true spot where the rails were joined. In other words, like Mr. Stanford, we may have missed the exact spot that marks the final link in the ocean-to-ocean railroad.
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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