Promontory Summit, UT - The world changed here. On May 10, 1869 one of the greatest technological achievements of the 19th century, the completion of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States, occurred on Promontory Summit.
On May 8, 9, and 10, 2021 Golden Spike National Historic Park will commemorate the 152nd anniversary of the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. The commemoration will include re-enactments of the original 1869 ceremony, steam locomotive demonstrations, re-creation of the historic “champagne photo," and special exhibits of historic objects found along the railroad. Event times are Saturday May 8 at 9:30am, 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm; Sunday and Monday May 9 and 10 at 11:30am and 2:30pm.
To meet CDC, state and local guidance related to Covid-19, a ticket will be required to attend the events. Tickets will be available starting April 27, 2021 at 8:00 AM MT (10:00 AM ET) on Recreation.gov. Each vehicle, regardless of the number of occupants, will be required to have a single ticket. The park entrance fee and a reservation fee, totaling $20, will be collected with each ticket. Pass holders will pay only the reservation fee of $2.
Tickets must be obtained online at Recreation.gov ) or using the Recreation.gov mobile app. Tickets will not be available at the park. During the events the Last Spike Site at the Visitor Center will be open to ticket holders only.
“We are excited to commemorate May 10th this year after having to cancel our event last year," said Superintendent Brandon Flint, “This a great opportunity to be outside and relive a part of history. Visitors can stand at the location where the golden spike was driven uniting the country by rail, join us for a re-creation of the historic “champagne photo," and get an up-close view of Victorian era replica locomotives as they chug past."
No ticket will be required to access other areas of the park including the Big Fill Overlook, Big Fill Trail and East Auto Tour (weather permitting). Visitors will also find the area around the park has many opportunities for recreation. To the west lies the Spiral Jetty and the Transcontinental Railroad Backcountry Byway, which is the longest contiguous stretch of original railroad grade remaining. Northrup Grumman’s Rocket Garden and the Bear River Wildlife Refuge can make a great stop on your way home.
For more information about Golden Spike National Historical Park, visit nps.gov/gosp.
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About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
