Audio
An Unlikely Meeting Place
Transcript
In the spring of 1869, with the Union Pacific already in Ogden and the Central Pacific closing in from just west of the Great Salt Lake, Congress and the two companies agreed to meet at a point equidistant between two ends of the track. Promontory Summit became the site for the Last Spike just by chance.
During 1869, both rail lines terminated here and travelers were obliged to change trains to complete their journey east or west. It was an inconvenient arrangement since there was no water for locomotives, horses, or people. An early description listed the amenities.
The town consists of a few tents, the ticket houses of both companies, their telegraph offices, hordes of grasshoppers and swarms of sand fleas.
In early 1870, as part of an agreement between the companies, the terminus was moved to Ogden. As a result, trains no longer stopped regularly at Promontory and curious passengers only glimpsed the Last Spike site as they rolled by.
Descriptive Transcript
Gravel road through green, yellow and brown sagebrush landscapes. Low lying mountain range in distance.
Description
In the spring of 1869, with the Union Pacific already in Ogden and the Central Pacific closing in from just west of the Great Salt Lake, Congress and the two companies agreed to meet at a point equidistant between two ends of the track. Promontory Summit became the site for the Last Spike just by chance.
During 1869, both rail lines terminated here and travelers were obliged to change trains to complete their journey east or west. It was an inconvenient arrangement since there was no water for locomotives,
Credit
Nicki Castoro
Date Created
04/12/2025
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