Who drove the last spike to complete the transcontinental railroad?
founder Leland Stanford
One hundred and fifty years ago on May 10, 1869, university founder Leland Stanford drove the last spike that marked the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad. That event has forever linked the university with the good and the bad the railroad represents.
Who drove in the final spike and what was he the president of?
Leland Stanford, president of Southern Pacific Railroad and, beginning in 1861, Central Pacific Railroad, drove the golden spike.
Who was at the Spike ceremony?
Politicians, officials of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads, railroad workers (including a Chinese contingent from the Central Pacific), five companies of soldiers from the 21st U.S. Infantry Regiment, and members of the public from near and far were in attendance.
Is there really a golden spike?
Where is the “real” golden spike? It is located in Palo Alto, California. Since it was privately owned it went back to California to David Hewes. Hewes donated the spike to Stanford University art museum in 1892.
Where is the real Golden Spike located?
Palo Alto
Where is the “real” golden spike? It is located in Palo Alto, California. Leland Stanford’s brother-in-law, David Hewes, had the spike commissioned for the Last Spike ceremony.
Where was the last spike in the transcontinental railroad?
Transcontinental railroad completed. On this day in 1869, the presidents of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads meet in Promontory, Utah, and drive a ceremonial last spike into a rail line that connects their railroads. This made transcontinental railroad travel possible for the first time in U.S. history.
How did people travel to the western frontier?
Before the 1850’s, most people traveled westward by boat or wagon. These methods proved slow and expensive, and they provided limited access to western lands. The railroad, or “iron horse,” became a vital new travel option, especially after the 1860’s. The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 authorized a transcontinental rail line.
Who was on the train that carried the Golden Spike?
The Jupiter leads the train that carried the spike, Leland Stanford, one of the “Big Four” owners of the Central Pacific Railroad, and other railway officials to the Golden Spike Ceremony. This section needs additional citations for verification.
When was the last time a golden spike was driven?
Immediately afterwards, the golden spike and the laurel tie were removed, lest they be stolen, and replaced with a regular iron spike and normal tie. At exactly 12:47 pm, the last iron spike was driven, finally completing the line. After the ceremony, the Golden Spike was donated to the Stanford Museum (now Cantor Arts Center) in 1898.