When and where was the last spike driven?

With missing artifacts and contentious debates over its location, the story of the Last Spike is a favorite among train enthusiasts. On November 7, 136 years ago, the Last Spike was driven in at Craigellachie, B.C, marking a momentous occasion — the completion of Canada's trans-continental railway.



People Also Ask

Photo by A.J. Russell of the celebration following the driving of the Last Spike at Promontory Summit, Utah, May 10, 1869.

MORE DETAILS

The golden spike (also known as The Last Spike) is the ceremonial 17.6-karat gold final spike driven by Leland Stanford to join the rails of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States connecting the Central Pacific Railroad from Sacramento and the Union Pacific Railroad from Omaha on May 10, 1869, at ...

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

In 1870 it took approximately seven days and cost as little as $65 for a ticket on the transcontinental line from New York to San Francisco; $136 for first class in a Pullman sleeping car; $110 for second class; and $65 for a space on a third- or “emigrant”-class bench.

MORE DETAILS

Governor Leland Stanford drives in golden spike to unite Central and Union Pacific tracks in Promontory Summit, Utah. More than 1,000 people attend ceremony. Cities across the country commemorate completion of transcontinental railroad project with parades, galas, and fireworks.

MORE DETAILS

The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest operating railroad in the United States. Founded in 1832, it is known as a short line and is only seven kilometers long. Short lines connected passengers and goods to a main line that traveled to bigger cities.

MORE DETAILS

Otherwise known as the Golden Spike Ceremony, this historic event not only celebrates the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, named the Pacific Railroad, but it also recognizes the significance of the immigrant workforce that helped the nation accomplish what many believed was impossible.

MORE DETAILS

Today, most of the transcontinental railroad line is still in operation by the Union Pacific (yes, the same railroad that built it 150 years ago). The map at left shows sections of the transcon that have been abandoned throughout the years.

MORE DETAILS

The rails were removed in 1942 for use in the war effort. Today cattle graze where once thousands labored to open the West to industry and commerce. The Transcontinental Railroad Back Country Byway is interpreted at over 30 sites along the grade.

MORE DETAILS