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Central / Union Pacific
Joining of the Central and Union Pacific; the formal ceremony of driving the last spike at Promontory Point, Utah
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Media ID 608463
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10112509
10th 1869 Ceremony Driving Formal Joining Meeting Pacific Point Promontory Spike Trains Utah
EDITORS COMMENTS
This historic photograph captures the momentous occasion of the formal joining of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads at Promontory Point, Utah, on May 10, 1869. The scene is filled with a sense of excitement and achievement as the crowd gathers around the ceremonial site, eager to witness the driving of the last spike that would complete the transcontinental railroad. The Central Pacific Railroad, primarily built by Chinese laborers, began construction in California in 1863, while the Union Pacific Railroad, financed by the U.S. government and private investors, started in Nebraska in 1862. The two railroads converged at Promontory Point, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. The formal ceremony was a significant milestone in American history, symbolizing the nation's unity and progress. The two railroad companies, represented by their respective presidents, Leland Stanford of the Central Pacific and Thomas C. Durant of the Union Pacific, are shown in the photograph, each holding a sledgehammer. The moment of truth arrives as they simultaneously swing their hammers to drive the last spike into the rail, connecting the two halves of the railroad. The successful completion of the transcontinental railroad revolutionized transportation in the United States, making it possible to travel from the East to the West Coast in a matter of days instead of months. This photograph is a testament to the ingenuity, hard work, and determination of the people involved in the construction of the railroad, and serves as a reminder of the significant role it played in shaping the country's history.
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