Golden Spike National Historic Site

Golden Spike National Historic Site Review

The Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met here at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869, to celebrate the completion of the first transcontinental rail route. Under the auspices of the National Park Service, the site has a visitor center and two beautifully maintained locomotives that are replicas of the originals that met here for the "wedding of the rails." Every May 10 (and on Saturday and holidays in summer), a reenactment of the driving of the golden spike is held. In August, boiler stoking, rail walking, and handcar racing test participants' skills at the Railroader's Festival. The Winter Steam Festival around Christmas time gives steam buffs opportunities to photograph the locomotives in the cold, when the steam from the smokestacks forms billowing clouds.