Golden Spike National Historical Park to Commemorates the 154th Anniversary of the Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad

News Release Date:
May 10, 2023

Photos and video of the event can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/gosp/learn/news/press-kit.htm

Promontory Summit, UT - Today visitors from around the state and nation once again gathered at Promontory Summit to commemorate the one hundred and fifty-fourth anniversary of the completion of the world's first transcontinental railroad. One of the greatest achievements of the 19th century this momentous event changed the nation in ways that are still important today.

Today's program highlighted stories of the tens of thousands of workers from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds whose backbreaking efforts were vital to completing the railroad. Wilson Lee, a fifth-generation descendant of a transcontinental railroad worker, spoke about his family's connection to the building of the railroad. Sean Clark, President of the Hibernian Society of Utah, spoke about the contribution of Irish workers in completing this important project and his family's connection to the railroad. The program also included remarks from Darren Parry, former chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, who spoke about the impact of the railroad on Native Americans nations across the continent.

In keeping with long standing tradition local volunteers preformed a reenactment of the driving of the ceremonial last spikes that marked the completion of the railroad connecting the east and west coasts of the young nation.

"Today we had the opportunity to hear the incredible stories of the people who built a railroad that many people at the time thought was unbuildable," said Superintendent Brandon Flint, "this annual commemoration provides the opportunity to learn about and reflect on the how an event over 150 years ago still has lessons for us to learn today."

On Saturday May 13 the park will host another event to continue the commemoration with a focus on family friendly events. Activities will include re-enactments of the original 1869 ceremony, steam locomotive demonstrations, re-creations of the historic "champagne photo," displays of historic objects found along the railroad, performances by Irish step dancers and musicians, and special Jr Ranger activities. The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation will be providing cultural demonstrations about their traditional life ways. Saturday's event is free.

Between Saturday's special events, auto tour routes, and Big Fill Trail there is a full day of activities at the park. Visitors will also find the area around the Golden Spike has many opportunities for recreation. To the west lies the world-famous Spiral Jetty and the Transcontinental Railroad Backcountry Byway, which is the longest contiguous stretch of original railroad grade remaining. The Bear River Wildlife Refuge can make a great stop on your way to or from the park.

Golden Spike National Historical Park was established in 1965 for the purpose of commemorating the completion of the railroad and the impact it had on the United States. For more information and detailed schedules of the special events visit Golden Spike National Historical Park's website nps.gov/gosp.

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