The two halves of the Transcontinental Railroad meet in what U.S. state?

In 1869, the presidents of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads meet in Promontory, Utah. They had come to Utah to drive a ceremonial last spike into a rail line that connected their railroads. This made transcontinental railroad travel possible for the first time in U.S. history.

The First Transcontinental Railroad (originally called the "Pacific Railroad" and later the "Overland Route") was a 1,907 mile (3,069 km) contiguous railroad line constructed in the U.S. between 1863 and 1869 west of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to connect the Pacific coast at San Francisco Bay with the existing eastern U.S. rail network at Council Bluffs, Iowa.

This specific railroad revolutionized the settlement and economy of the American West by bringing the western states and territories firmly and profitably into the "Union" and making goods and transportation much quicker, cheaper, and more flexible from coast to coast.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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36 Comments

Ken Walkley

When you live in Cheyenne, Wyoming, a town that got started where it is because the Cheyenne Sioux Indians attacked the railroad workers here for a whole day, hence the town's name, the original high school's mascot ("Indian"), etc., know that it was Promontory Utah. And guess what? The Southern Pacific and Union Pacific PASSED each other with their track laying! They were miles apart (sideways, not just past each other). Both had to stop to figure out where to "meet" and which railroad company would make which adjustment to their tracks. Since finishing was primary, no one let their pride get in the way, so the Irishmen and the China men met in Promontory. The Golden Spike was real gold. Therefore it was too soft to pawl into a rail tie. So it was dripped into a pre-made hole in the wooden tie, and tapped lightly to indicate that the transcontinental railroad was completed.

George N. Martin

My Great Grandfather was at Promontory Point that Great Day and received a Gold watch Inscribed to GEORGE MARTIN from the UP. When my Grandfather died, one of his sisters took that watch when it should have gone to my Father. My Son is the last George Martin in line. We all had different First or Middle names so there were no Seconds or Junior, etc.

Ed Taber

I pity the Pioneers who spent 6 months the previous year walking from St, Joseph, Mo. to Sacramento. Stephen E. Ambrose wrote a book about the construction of the transcontinental railroad. As he was the product of a rather leftist education in the 50's he was surprised to find all the stories of the RR stealing 'valuable' land and taking circuitous routes to increase their holdings were just myths. They took the shortest route and made the worthless land valuable. The tracks go directly across the Great Salt Lake today because in 1869 the lake was 15 feet deeper. Promontory Point is well off the main line today. Slandering the Giants that built this country seems a popular cottage industry these days.

Don Racette

tdelisi Why didn't you give me the correct answer...I said Missouri.

tdelisi

Lived for 22 years in the beautiful state of Utah, where all Utahns are continually presented this information. Such beautiful country out west. Awe inspiring.

Laura Mitchell

The Silver spike used to be in Denver.

Gold Toy Box

This is where the standard for fleecing the government and the investors was set. Both RR's just kept building passed each other to keep getting the gov't per mile incentive money and land (to sell later). Mean while the people who invested the two RR's never saw their money. Both RR's were bled dry by their suppliers (privately owned by the RR's own operators). Setting the standard of "insider trading" that continued well into the 20th century and into the 21st if you believe some of conspiracy theories of today. As Kwalkley mentions the driving of a gold and silver spikes at Promontory Point but what is note worthy is the photos taken of the ceremony: two sets were taken, the first one showing the celebration with champagne bottles and one with out. Some of the people in charge were Prohibitionist and demanded the photos be retaken without the alcohol.