In 1860, while the United States spanned the continent between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, there was no easy route between the two. That is why in 1860 Samuel Curtis introduced a bill to fund the construction of a transcontinental railroad. It passed in the house but died in the Senate and when reintroduced it got the same result because southern states wanted it closer to them. It did not pass until the south left the Union. So on July 1, 1862 Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad act of 1862. It authorized the forming of the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific railroads. Construction began in 1863 but proceeded slowly because the war made a manpower shortage. The Central Pacific heading east From Oakland and the Union Pacific heading west across the plains from Council Bluffs Iowa. After the war in 1865 there were plenty of men needing work. The railroads were not only paid a per mile price but they also received generous land grants.

Looking west from Promontory Summit

The Central Pacific had the tougher of the routes. It took a tremendous amount of work and lives to get the railroad up and over the Sierra Mountains. They employed mostly Chinese because they were cheaper and judged to be capable workers. The Central Pacific ended up building 690 miles of track compared to 1087 miles for the Union Pacific but they had an easier time with their route going through the plains.

Looking east from Promontory Summit

The commemorative plaque at golden spike location

They both finally joined up at Promontory Summit on May 10th, 1869 with much attention and fanfare Leland Stanford drove the golden spike to complete the first intercontinental railroad in the U.S.A. It my understanding that there were actually 4 final spikes, 2 gold and 2 gold/silver plated. The plated ones are in private collections, 1 of the gold ones is on display at a museum in the bay area and the last one has been lost to history. I was told by a NPS ranger that it disappeared in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

The Final Tie

Telegraph lines were also installed.

It was president Lincoln that insisted that telegraph lines be installed, giving the United States instant coat to coast communications.

These days you can visit this historic site and also see the 2 replica locomotives they have on site.

One of the replica locomotives.

National Parks and Monuments