History & Culture

Trestle at Newcastle

Alfred Hart photograph courtesy of NPS.gov

The first transcontinental railroad is a powerful tapestry of people, places, and stories. While Golden Spike National Historical Park may be small in size, it holds a monumental narrative that resonates to this day. Explore the links below to uncover these compelling stories and discover how two ribbons of iron transformed the United States obstensibly overnight.

People
Numerous people and cultures came together to build the first transcontinental railroad.

Places
Golden Spike National Historic Park is located on the site of the town of Promontory, Utah. Explore the tent city and later the town before it became a historic site.

Stories
Discover the history of the locomotives that met on May 10th, 1869 and the history of the four precious metal spikes that Golden Spike is known for.

 

 

Special Podcast on Mormon Laborers

Special Podcast on Mormon Laborers