Where is the "real" golden spike?
The “real” Golden Spike is in Palo Alto, California, where it is part of Stanford University’s Cantor Arts Center collection. The spike was commissioned by David Hewes, Leland Stanford’s brother-in-law, for the May 10, 1869, Last Spike ceremony at Promontory Summit. Because the spike was privately owned, Hewes took it back to California after the ceremony and later donated it to Stanford University in 1892.
Is Golden Spike NHS located at Promontory Point?
No. Promontory Point is thirty-five miles south of Golden Spike. The correct name for this location is Promontory Summit. For unknown reasons, some reporters and railroad officials in 1869 wrote that the transcontinental railroad was completed at Promontory Point, and this falsehood has been perpetuated throughout history in textbooks, films, and all other forms of media.
Where does the name "Promontory" come from?
A "promontory" by definition is a high point of land or rock projecting into a sea or other body of water. The Promontory Mountains span the length of the Promontory Peninsula. Promontory Summit (Visitor Center and Last Spike Site and historic location of the town of Promontory) is located at the highest point of the Promontory pass.
What happened to the town of Promontory?
From May-December 1869, Promontory was the terminus of the transcontinental railroad (the junction point for Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads). Passengers and freight were transferred here at Promontory, which was known to be a wild town with gambling, looting and "sporting women". When the junction moved to Ogden in 1870 Promontory became primarily a helper station, housing mostly railroad workers and their families.
Are these the original locomotives?
No. The locomotives on display are historically accurate replicas of Union Pacific No. 119 and Central Pacific Jupiter, the two locomotives that met at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869, to celebrate the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. Built by O’Connor Engineering of Costa Mesa, California, in 1979, the replicas were constructed within one-quarter inch of the originals’ dimensions and are fully functional; they were created so visitors could experience these historic locomotives after the originals were scrapped in the early 20th century.
What happened to the original locomotives?
By the early 1900s, No. 119 and Jupiter were considered old technology. Newer locomotives were larger, more powerful, and better suited to the growing railroad system, so eventually it was cheaper to replace these engines than keep repairing them. No. 119 was scrapped in 1903 for about $1,000, and Jupiter met the same fate in 1906.
Were the original engines really that shiny and colorful?
Yes! No. 119 and Jupiter really were as colorful and ornate as they appear today. Built during the Victorian era, the locomotives reflected the craftsmanship and decorative style of the time—and they served not only as workhorses, but also as a way for the railroads to showcase their success, technology, and pride.
Can we ride the trains?
No. The park’s Jupiter and No. 119 are locomotives, not complete trains, because they do not have passenger cars attached. A train is made up of a locomotive pulling cars or other rolling stock, so without those cars, these historic replicas are simply locomotives or engines.
Do these locomotives burn wood or coal?
Central Pacific Jupiter burns wood, while Union Pacific No. 119 burns coal, just as the original locomotives did in 1869. The different fuels reflected the resources available along each railroad’s route: the Central Pacific had greater access to timber in the Sierra Nevada, while the Union Pacific had access to coal from the mines of Wyoming.
How many people were at the original ceremony on May 10, 1869?
There is no exact count of how many people attended the Golden Spike ceremony. Historical accounts vary widely, estimating somewhere between 300 and 1,500 people, including railroad workers, officials, dignitaries, and others who gathered at Promontory Summit to witness the historic event.
Why did the grading crews pass each other for 250 miles?
The Union Pacific and Central Pacific were competing for valuable government land grants and subsidy bonds, which were awarded based on the amount of railroad they built. As the two companies raced toward each other, they continued grading their routes past one another for about 250 miles between Echo, Utah, and Wells, Nevada, hoping to claim more of these incentives. They did not build parallel tracks—only the unfinished, parallel roadbeds remain in some areas.
Why did they meet here?
Pressure from Congress forced the two companies to reach an agreement on a meeting place. After considerable negotiation they finally decided to meet at the midway point of the end of track for each railroad company, which was here at Promontory Summit.
Is this line still in service? Do trains still come through here today?
No. In late 1903 the Lucin Cutoff trestle was completed across the Great Salt Lake, straight west from Ogden. The railroad saved a great deal of time and money by being able to utilize a relatively straight and level route. The route through Promontory became a secondary line supplying large ranches in the area up until the late 1930s. Severe winters and the depression combined to wipe out the ranches, and there were local runs only after 1938. In 1942 the rails were removed and re-laid in military depots in support of the war effort during WWII.
Is this where it really happened?
Yes. There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the event taking place at Promontory Summit. The exact spot where the last spike was driven has been recorded and located at the site.
