One of the most iconic and life-altering events in America’s history – the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad – happened in Utah on May 10, 1869. Spike 150 is organized to partner with all those celebrating the 150-year anniversary of the Golden Spike ceremony in Utah. Through a series of activities and events, the Spike 150 initiative aims to inspire, educate, and reflect on the Transcontinental Railroad legacy as it unifies Utahns to see that great things are possible with vision, hard-work, dedication, and collaboration.
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Spike 150 is Utah’s celebration of the 150-year anniversary of the Golden Spike. Through a year-long series of events throughout Utah and the nation, we hope to unify, educate, inspire, and leave a legacy.
Through photographs, historical documents, and excavated fragments of imported Chinese ceramics, this traveling exhibit seeks to explore the unique history of the Transcontinental Railroad’s Chinese workers in Utah, discuss their daily lives, and share what’s been learned from the artifacts they left behind.
The exhibit shares the story of Utah’s contribution to the completion of the transcontinental railroad and examines the railway’s transformational effects on Utah. A partnership between Utah State University’s Merrill-Cazier Library and the Utah State Division of History, the exhibit draws upon the many rich historical resources held by different institutions across not only Utah but the entire United States, including photographs, maps, art, and lithographs.
The world’s largest photograph collection documenting the transcontinental railroad’s construction. Presented by Union Pacific and exhibited at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
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