Today Is The Sesquicentennial Of The Completion Of The First United States Transcontinental Railroad

In 1997, I had the opportunity to visit Promontory, Utah and the Golden Spike National Historical Park.  I was standing
right at the place where the Golden Spike was driven.  This view is looking west. (click to enlarge)
Pentax 6X7; 90mm f/2.8 lens; Kodak Vericolor III negative film

I had Part II of my thoughts about using the new Nikon Z7 camera and 24-70mm f/4 lens post ready to go for today.  However, yesterday I realized that today, May 10, is the sesquicentennial of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.  As many of you know, I've been a railroad aficionado since I was a boy, have spent a lot of time photographing railroads and because of my continued interest, have studied the historical significance and importance railroads have been to the expansion of this country in the 19th Century.  Therefore, Nikon waits until Monday.

In 1997, I had an opportunity to visit Promontory, Utah, view the site where the two railroads joined, read about the history and make some images.  The image at the top of this post was made from where the "Golden Spike(s)" was driven, looking west.

Steam Locomotive Drive Wheel (click to enlarge)
Pentax 6X7; 90mm f/2.8 lens; Kodak Tri-X film

In 1962, President Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act which paved the way for the building of a transcontinental railroad.  If memory serves well, there were three routes proposed and a lot of politics and treachery over which would ultimately be chosen, which was the central route from Omaha westward and Sacramento eastward.  The Union Pacific Railroad started building west from Omaha and the Central Pacific Railroad started building east from Sacramento.  They met on May 10, 1869 in Promontory, Utah Territory.  A huge ceremony was held and the "Golden Spike" was driven into the last tie to complete the railroad.  

—Or that is how we would like to remember it.  The actual building of the railroad is much more interesting than that.  For example, the railroads were paid by the Federal Government by the mile and the Central Pacific actually built past the Union Pacific Railroad in order to earn more money.  Thousands of workers were brought from China to do much of the work for the Central Pacific Railroad as well.  Also, I was told while visiting the Golden Spike National Monument in Promontory, that there were actually 4 gold plated spikes driven.  I believe one eventually was kept by the president of the Central Pacific, one by the Union Pacific, one by a representative of the Federal Government and one by the Territorial Government.  I may be misremembering, but if I am, it is a fine opportunity for you to do the research and correct me.

When the two railroads joined the trip across the country was reduced from a month to a week, cost $65 and precluded having to send freight around the southern tip of South America by ship.

I won't go into more but, as I said, the entire story is fascinating.  I recommend Stephen Ambrose's book, "Nothing Like it in the World; The Men Who Built The Transcontinental Railroad," if you would like some comprehensive information.  Also, you can visit the National Park Service site, "The Golden Spike National Historical Park" for additional information as well.  There is a ceremony today at the Park and I wish I could be there.

Since this is a photography-centric blog, the famous photograph we have all seen of the actual event was made by Andrew J. Russell.  He made it using a 10" X 13" wet collodian process, horse drawn cart and all!  You can read more about that photograph here.

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Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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