Imagine that you are there. You really want to see what is happening, so you climb on top of the Union Pacific’s locomotive, No. 119. Be careful though, that boiler is pretty hot. Find a safe place where you can see everyone as the ceremony begins.
Here is what happened:
May 10th
11:00 a.m.
One hour before the official ceremony begins, Irish workers representing the Union Pacific (UP), and Chinese workers representing the Central Pacific (CP) laid the final two rails that would join the railroads.
12: noon
The ceremony begins with a prayer of thanks. Photographers captured the excitement, and a telegraph was sent saying: "Almost ready. Hats off. Prayer is being offered."
A temporary telegram station was set up in a train car for this occasion. Telegraphers attached wires so a signal would be sent across the country as soon as the final spike was driven.
James Strobridge (CP) and Samuel B. Reed (UP) laid the ceremonial final tie made of polished California laurel wood with four pre-drilled holes under the joined rails.
After they placed the final tie, four ceremonial spikes were presented to Stanford and Durant. Nevada donated a spike of silver; Arizona gave a spike plated with silver and gold; a California newspaper gave a gold spike and businessman David Hewes donated an engraved spike made of gold. Hewes actually created two golden spikes. He presented one to Stanford for the ceremony and the other spike is on display at the California State Railroad Museum.
Governor Stanford delivered a speech on behalf of the Central Pacific Railroad and General Grenville Dodge spoke for the Union Pacific Railroad.
After the speeches, the telegrapher sent out the message: "All ready now; the spike will soon be driven".
12:47pm
Stanford tapped the golden spike with the silver maul (or hammer) and the telegrapher sent the message “DONE.”
The railroad was complete!
Another first: The completion of the nation’s first Transcontinental Telegraph. The country could finally enjoy coast-to-coast transportation and communication!
What Really Happened?
Write a story or make a video with the link below describing what you saw at the event.
There were so many people attending the ceremony, everyone saw something different based on where they were standing. Since you were there, you can only describe what you saw from the top of locomotive No. 119.
- Describe the looks on people’s faces (happy, excited, sad, etc.).
- How were they dressed?
- What did you hear them say?
- Did they cheer when the last spike was in place?
- How did you feel?
Be creative! You are sitting above everyone, so you see it all. Tell us what really happened on May 10, 1869.
Be creative! You are sitting above the crowd, so you have a great view of what is happening.
Credits:
"The Driving of the last spike" painted by Thomas Hill, https://csrm.andornot.com/en/permalink/ia_cscrm_000294 Chinese Laying Last Rail, Andrew J. Russell, http://collections.museumca.org/?q=collection-item/h694592426-0 The Last Rail Is Laid Scene At Promontory Point May 10 1869. # 356, Photograph. https://exhibits.stanford.edu/rr/catalog/rf200sq2539 The Last Spike, California State Railroad Museum East and West Shaking Hands at Laying Last Rail, Andrew J Russell, 1869, http://collections.museumca.org/?q=collection-item/h694592030 The final act, Aflred. A Hart. The Last Rail Is Laid Scene At Promontory Point May 10 1869. # 356, https://purl.stanford.edu/rf200sq2539 Central Pacific RR Map