Upon completion of the Golden Spike Monument in September 2023, it will travel from the artist’s studio in Kentucky, to its home in Brigham City, Utah. Throughout this road trip, Driving of the Spike, communities along the way will have an opportunity to learn about and view the Monument up close during organized, lively Whistle Stops. Like our social media pages to learn news about the tour and follow along as we take the Golden Spike Monument on the road.
Sacramento, California
Truckee, California
Nevada
Ogden, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Steam locomotives Jupiter and #119 will live forever in our country’s history for the part they played in the “Wedding of the Rails.”
After months of long days and dangerous, back-breaking labor, Union Pacific and Central Pacific workers met in Promontory, Utah, joining their respective rail lines to form a single track connecting the eastern portion of the United States to the west–this historic feat called for a big celebration.
The celebration brought dignitaries from across the country. Union Pacific Vice-President Thomas Durant’s arrived via a private coach pulled by the mighty #119 steam locomotive. Leland Stanford, president of Central Pacific, came from California in his private rail car hitched to the Jupiter steam locomotive.
On May 10, 1869, Jupiter and #119 came nose to nose in Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad. This historic moment, captured for all the world to see, solidified these two steam locomotives’ place in history.
Like our social media pages to learn news about the tour and follow along as we take the Golden Spike Monument on the road.
