![]() Highway 13 becomes Highway 38 – don’t freak out!. ![]() Make a right (west) onto Promontory Road (Highway 13).119! They’re great for selfies! For a more detailed history, check out this article! Golden Spike from Salt Lake City ~87 miles Get up close and personal with Jupiter and No. Although the locomotives are only replicas, they were built within 1/2″ of the originals, are fully functional, and look identical to the originals. Today, visitors can witness a reenactment of the ceremony, stare in wonder at the sheer size of locomotive replicas, learn about life for the immigrant workers who made this railway possible, and immerse themselves in 1869. The two railways, joining Omaha, Nebraska, and Sacramento, California, officially became the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. ![]() On May 10, 1869, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads were finally joined together, and was commemorated by a Golden Spike being driven into the track. After years of intense competition, pressure from Congress forced the two companies to join at Promontory Summit. The locomotive became the obvious choice for the western expansion boom, and two competing companies, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific, sought to dominate the landscape. The 1800s in the United States saw a major movement west, and as more and more companies of people took advantage of the Manifest Destiny notion, it became apparent that handcarts, wagon trains, and oxen were slow, inefficient, and expendable. If you’re planning a visit to Utah and want to get out of Salt Lake City, or if you’re looking for an awesome stay-cation destination, might I suggest a visit to the Golden Spike National Monument? Live out your inner-child’s dream and get up close and personal with a couple of ginormous replica steam locomotives! History of the Golden Spike What I can remember, however, are the feelings of patriotism, nostalgia, and historical significance, even at a young age ( think grade school-aged). My first visit to see the Golden Spike happened so long ago, I can hardly remember the details. Whatever the case, a visit would be a dream come true for lovers of history, trains, and all things Americana. The Golden Spike National Monument is a place that Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory would love to visit. We’re here! We finally made it to The Golden Spike National Monument and now I have to use the restroom. Are those the trains? I can’t tell for a while because like an oasis, driving through rolling hills can often play tricks on the mind and make your eyes see things that aren’t really there. After yet another climb, we finally flatten out into a lush valley (well, lush for northern Utah) and I can see something in the distance: colorful dots on the horizon next to a small building. We’ve been driving for what seems like hours, climbing over hills, overtaking the occasional semi truck, heading into the middle of seemingly nowhere.
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