Golden Spike Reenactment photographs, 1964-1969
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Utah State University
- Title
- Golden Spike Reenactment photographs
- Dates
- 1964-1969 (inclusive)19641969
- Quantity
- .25 linear feet, (1 box)
- Collection Number
- UUS_P0757
- Summary
- This collection includes 82 photographs, mainly black and white, from the 100th anniversary of the 1869 Golden Spike Ceremony, as well as historical photo reproductions of early railroad executives, workers, and locations.
- Repository
-
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on access, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
- Languages
- English
Content Description
Consists of photos from the 1960s including the 1969 Centennial Celebration at the Golden Spike historical site, later reenactments, descendants of the Chinese workers, commemorative coins and golden/silver spikes. Also includes historical photo reproductions of early railroad executives, and intercontinental railway workers and locations. Many of the photographs have chapter and page numbering, and were likely part of an unidentified publication. All photos are black and white, unless otherwise noted.
Historical Note
Completing the last link in the transcontinental railroad with a spike of gold was the brainchild of David Hewes, a San Francisco financier and contractor. The spike had been manufactured earlier that year especially for the event by the William T. Garratt Foundry in San Francisco. Two of the sides were engraved with the names of the railroad officers and directors. A special tie of polished California laurel was chosen to complete the line where the spike would be driven. The ceremony was originally to be held on May 8, 1869 (the date actually engraved on the spike), but it was postponed two days because of bad weather and a labor dispute that delayed the arrival of the Union Pacific side of the rail line.
On May 10, in anticipation of the ceremony, Union Pacific No. 119 and Central Pacific No. 60 (better known as the Jupiter) locomotives were drawn up face-to-face on Promontory Summit. It is unknown how many people attended the event; estimates run from as low as 500 to as many as 3,000; government and railroad officials and track workers were present to witness the event.
The golden spike was made of 17.6-karat copper-alloyed gold, and weighed 14.03 troy ounces. It was dropped into a pre-drilled hole in the laurel ceremonial last tie, and gently tapped into place with a silver ceremonial spike maul.
Source: retrieved from Wikipedia September 10, 2024.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Golden Spike Reenactment photographs must be obtained from the Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Section Head.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: Golden Spike Reenactment photographs USU_P0757. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_P0757, USUSCA.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
These photographs are arranged into two series. The first includes photographs from annual celebrations, most notably from the 100th anniversary celebration in 1969. The second series is comprised of prints of historical photographs, and were likely used as research or illustrations relating to the transcontinental railway creation and completion ceremony.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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I. Annual Celebrations and Reenactment photographs, 1964-1969
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Description: 1: Three individuals looking at artifactsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 2: Two women (possibly descendants of Chinese workers) handling artifactDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 3: Three Chinese coinsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 4: "Brother and Sister Joseph Fielding Smith at 13th Annual Ceremony"Dates: 1964Container: Box 1
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Description: 5: "Edd H. Bailey, President. Union Pacific Railroad"Dates: 1969Container: Box 1
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Description: 6: "B.F. Biaggini, President. Southern Pacific Co. San Francisco"Dates: 1969Container: Box 1
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Description: 7: "One of the medallions being sold in 1969 by the National Golden Spike Centennial Commission"Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 8: Front and back sides of medallion, with artist rendering of Golden Spike visitor centerDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 9: Side views of golden spike replica, engraved with names of railroad directorsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 10: Side views of golden spike replica, engraved with names of railroad directorsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 11: Side views of golden spike replica, engraved with names of railroad directorsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 12: Front and back sides of commemorative medallionDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 13: Five men dressed in 1869-style clothing and false mustaches
Stock photograph by Arizona Photographic Associates, Inc.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 14: Reenactor in front of Engine 119, holding four "golden" stakesDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 15: Reeactors placing the final golden stakeDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 16: Speaker and crowd at reenactment
Photo credit: Union Pacific Railroad
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 17: Another view of reenactors placing the final golden stakeDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 18: Man wearing "Telegrapher" hat in front of telegraph equipment
Photo credit: Thiokol Chemical Corp. Wasatch Division
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 19: Two men, one woman (possibly Chinese workers' decendants) holding a poster advertising "Great Event" on May 10, 1869
"John Stewart" written on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 20: Snapshot of the two engines facing each other
"Glen Compton's" written on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 21: Snapshot of the crowd at reenactment
"Glen Compton's" written on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 22: Snapshot of the crowd at reenactment
"Glen Compton's" and "Return to John Stewart" written on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 23: Group of men in 1869-style clothing, holding sledgehammers and golden spikeDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 24: Color snapshot of reenactors
"Ted H. or Ruth H." written on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 25: Color snapshot of reenactors
"Stella Postma[?]" written on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 26: Color snapshot of reenactors
"Stella Postma[?]" written on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 27: Color snapshot of reenactors
"Stella Postma[?]" written on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 28: Color snapshot of reenactors
"Ted H. or Ruth H." written on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 29: Color snapshot of reenactors mounted on USU Photographic Service letterhead, with caption "THIS IS THE WAY TO IN-DEE-AH!"
"Ted H. or Ruth H." written below caption
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 30: Crowd at reenactmentDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 31: "1965 Reenactment. Author seated behind mike, or general chairman"Dates: 1965Container: Box 1
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Description: 32: "Gordon Keller and 2 Chinese girls"
"Please return to John J. Stewart" stamped on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 33: Man (Gordon Keller?) showing artifacts to woman, both are standing behind a table filled with bottles, jars, lanterns, and other artifacts
"Please return to John J. Stewart" stamped on verso
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 34: "1964 - 13th Annual Golden Spike Ceremony (95th Anniversary)"
Photo credit: Golden Spike Ass'n Photos by Compton's Studio, JJ Stewart, Chairman
Dates: 1964Container: Box 1 -
Description: 35: Man and woman in native clothing on horsebackDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 36: Three men, one woman, all unidentifiedDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 37: Two men, one woman, all unidentifiedDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 38: "USU Balladiers at 1965 Annual Reeactment"Dates: 1965Container: Box 1
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Description: 39: Three unidentified menDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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II. Historical photographs
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Description: 40: "Lincoln and Gen'l Dodge, Council Bluffs, Aug. 1859"Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 41: Oliver Ames
Photo credit: Union Pacific Railroad Museum Collection
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 42: General Jack S. Casement, UP Foreman
Photo credit: Union Pacific Railroad Museum Collection
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 43: Portrait of Oakes AmesDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 44: Lorin Farr
Photo credit: Deseret News Photo
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 45: Sidney Dillon
Photo credit: Union Pacific Railroad Museum Collection
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 46: Portrait of Dan Casement
Photo credit: Union Pacific Railroad Museum Collection
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 47: Brigham YoungDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 48: Brigham Young, Jr.Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 49: Joseph Angell YoungDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 50: John W. YoungDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 51: Grenville M. Dodge
Photo credit: Union Pacific Railroad Museum Collection
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 52: John A. Dix, UPRR 2nd President
Photo credit: Union Pacific Railroad Museum Collection
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 53: Ezra T. BensonDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 54: John SharpDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 55: Huntington's houseDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 56: Collis P. Huntingdon
Caption reads: "Collis P. Huntingdon who handled Central Pacific's financial affairs in the East and guided many of the logistics vital to construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Southern Pacific Photo X 2202."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 57: "B 99. Mrs. Mark Hopkins and Gov. Stanford Mansions, S.F., Cal."Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 58: Leland Stanford
Photo credit: News and Publications Services, Stanford University
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 59: Hopkins mansionDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 60: Charles Crocker house, Nob HillDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 61: Mark Hopkins
Caption reads: "Mark Hopkins who ran the day-to-day affairs of the Central Pacific, western link of the first transcontinental railroad."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 62: "Work train of the pioneer Central Pacific at Rail-Head in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California in 1865."
Caption continues: "This photograph shows the grade being cut above Auburn. Please credit: Souther[n] Pacific Company. From: Association of American Railroads, Washington, D.C."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 63: "167. Emigrant Gap, looking East, Yuba Mountains in distance."
Caption reads: "A Central Pacific work train at Emigrant Gap, looking toward the East with the Yuba Mountains in the background. The horse and buggy mounted piggyback style on one of the flatcars may be those of Alfred A. Hart, pioneer Central Pacific photographer, who took this photo in 1868. Southern Pacific Photo X 3005."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 64: Promontory, Utah
Caption reads: "The flag marks the point where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific lines were joined on May 10, 1869. This photograph was taken two months later. Please credit: Union Pacific Railroad. From: Association of American Railroads, Washington, D.C."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 65: "Union Pacific's No. 119, the engine at the Golden Spike Ceremony…"
Caption continues: "…is shown on the 'Big Trestle' which spanned a 405-foot ravine immediately east of the Golden Spike site at Promontory. The trestle was used for only a short time, soon abandoned in favor of a dirt-fill. UP photo by A.J. Russell. Courtesy Utah Historical Society."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 66: "Building CP in the Sierras. Making a cut and fill"
Caption continues: "Note the small horse-drawn cars used to haul dirt"
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 67: "A westbound covered wagon caravan carrying emmigrants…"
Caption continues: "…meets Governor Leland Stanford's special train at Monument Point, near Promontory, Utah, where the governor was to participate in the 'Last Spike' ceremonies on May 10, 1869. Please credit: Southern Pacific Railroad. From: Association of American Railroads, Transportation Building, Washington, D.C. Note 'Jupiter' engine"
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 68: "Construction train on Union Pacific in the early '60's"
Credit: Union Pacific Railroad, From: Association of American Railroads, Transportation Building, Washington, D.C.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 69: "No. 343 In the Sierra Nevada Mountains"
Caption: "The tremendous difficulties encountered by the Central Pacific Railroad in constructing the western end of a road to connect with the Union Pacific from the east are shown in this sketch by Joseph Becker. In the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Chinese coolies employed by the Central Pacific fought winter snows that drifted as high as 50 to 100 feet above the roadbed. From: Association of American Railroads, Transportation Building, Washington, D.C."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 70: "Am. River and Canyon from Cap Horn. River below Railroad 1,400 feet. 57 miles from Sac."
Caption: "The locomotive C.P. Huntington, CP engine No. 3 and one of the two smallest locomotives owned by the railroad, on Cape Horn high above the American River Canyon in 1867. This locomotive was donated to the State of California and is now at the California Exposition grounds in Sacramento. Southern Pacific Photo X281."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 71: "No. 925. The Great 'Z', head of Echo Canyon. Photo taken during completion of Union Pacific railroad in 1869."
Credit: Union Pacific Railroad, From: Association of American Railroads, Transportation Building, Washington, D.C.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 72: Building a snow shed
Caption: "Unexpectedly heavy snows forced Central Pacific's pioneer builders to build snow sheds over the railroad in the High Sierra where 30-foot packs handicapped construction forces. This photo was taken in 1867. Eventually, about 40 miles of sheds covered an almost continuous stretch at high elevations. Today only about three miles remain due to powerful new snow plows and other improved machinery and methods for snow fighting. Southern Pacific Photo X 157"
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 73: "The Sacramento station of the Sacramento Valley Railroad, first railroad in California…"
Caption continues: "…and a pioneer link in the Central Pacific, had been moved by early 1860 from Third and R Streets to larger quarters alongside the river docks at Front and K Streets. This provided a better connection not only with the heavy shipping that plied the river to and from San Francisco, but also with the Central Pacific, whose station is pictured in the background. Taken in 1869, this photo shows a CP freight train that has moved past the CP station to a point in front of the Sacramento Valley Rail Road. Southern Pacific Photo X 30."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 74: "Snowplow of the Central Pacific near Cisco during construction of the railroad."
Caption continues: "Known as a 'bucker' plow, it took as many as eight pioneer woodburning locomotives to ram a plow through the drifts in a heavy snowstorm. SP Photo X 399"
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 75: Train engineer and 3 men seated in the wood bin behind the steam engine
Caption reads: "Photograph taken at Promontory Point, Utah, at the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. The Pacific and Central Pacific lines were joined on May 10, 1869. Please credit: Union Pacific Railroad. From: Association of American Railroads, Washington, D.C.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 76: "Construction of track and telegraph line in 1868…"
Caption continues: "… as Central Pacific forces were building the western link of the first transcontinental railroad, now a part of the Southern Pacific System. Rail layers, shown in the foreground, were followed by gangs of Chinese laborers who spaced and spiked the rail to the ties. A track laying record was set in April, 1869, when a picked gang of Irish rail layers, backed by a small army of truckmen, completed more than ten miles of track in one day. Please credit: Southern Pacific Compnay. From : Association of American Railroads, Transportation Building, Washington, D.C."
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 -
Description: 77: Photo of Thomas Hill's painting "The Last Spike"Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 78: "No. 924A. Identification Key to Persons in Picture No. 924 [The Last Spike]"Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 79: The assembled participants of the 1869 Golden Spike ceremonyDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 80: "Secrettown Trestle, in Sierras, Height 90' R. Huckel"Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 81: "Trestle on east slope of Promontory apparently UP's '119' engine."Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: 82: "Devil's Gate Bridge, Weber Canyon, UP train"Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Geographical Names
- Golden Spike National Historic Site (Utah)--Photographs.
