![]() ![]() David Hughes wanted to fashion something for the remembrance of this project that would match up with how special it was, and he did. Genuine gold was and still is very expensive and can be hard to come by. Without the Golden Spike, the whole team behind the project would not have had anything to remember their work by as time went on. The Golden Spike celebrates the completion of this huge construction project and extends a token of gratitude to all the people who made it possible. It facilitated westward expansion and allowed people to navigate the entire country more efficiently and smoothly. The creation of the Transcontinental Railroad marked a significant shift in the makeup of America. The last side was engraved with “May God continue the unity of our Country as this Railroad unites the two great oceans of the world” presented by David Hewes San Francisco.One side was engraved with “The Pacific Railroad ground broken Jan 8th, 1863 and completed May 8th, 1869.”.Two of the sides listed the name of the railroad officers and directors leading the project. ![]() The top was engraved with the words “The Last Spike.”.In actuality, only $350 of gold was used in the actual spike, with the rest of it being attached to the spike to support it as it was driven into place. It weighed 14.3 ounces, was 5 ⅝ inches long, and was created from 17.8-carat gold. So, he had a Golden Spike made of $400 of his own gold made by William T Garatt Foundry. The spike was supposed to be driven by Union Pacific Vice President Thomas Durant, but he was ill from a hangover, so Stanford did it instead.Īfter several years and 200,000 miles worth of tracks, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad were joined to create the Transcontinental Railroad, connecting Omaha, Nebraska to Oakland, California.ĭavid Hewes, a well-known contractor at the time, wanted there to be a special item to mark the completion of this enormous undertaking of a construction project. The Golden Spike was driven into the railroad by former California Governor Leland Stanford to celebrate the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad or Pacific Railway. On May 10th, 1869, in Promontory, Utah, a special ceremony took place. Thomas Hill Who Was Responsible For Driving the Golden Spike? So, read on to find out more about the Golden Spike and its connection with the Transcontinental Railroad, as well as the history of the railroad itself. The Golden Spike was driven by the former California Governor and Central Pacific President Leland Stanford to celebrate the joining of the Pacific and Union railways, connecting the east and west sides of the US.įor a long time in America’s history, railroads were the best and most efficient way to travel, so completing a railroad line this large was a big deal. But, who was the person that drove the Golden Spike into place, signifying to all in attendance that the railroad was complete? The Golden Spike was the last nail, made out of solid gold, added to the Transcontinental Railroad to commemorate its completion. ![]()
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