154th Anniversary

The No. 119 and Jupiter at the last spike site.

NPS.gov

Wednesday, May 10th 154th Anniversary of the Golden Spike

Admission to the park is free for this special event. For nearly 70 years, the Golden Spike Association, National Park Service, and Box Elder County have honored the anniversary of the historic completion of the Transcontinental Railroad that united the nation by rail, hosting a traditional reenactment of the driving of the last spike ceremony as it was done on May 10^th, 1869. Please join us in commemorating this special anniversary.

May 10th Schedule

• 9:00am Visitor Center Opens
• 9:30am Locomotive Ranger Program - Arrival of the Locomotives Jupiter and No. 119.
• 10:00am Recreation of the Historic "Champagne" Photograph for Visitors in Period and Modern Dress
• 10:30am Music by the Box Elder High School Band
• 11:30am - 1:00pm Commemorative Ceremony and Reenactment of the Last Spike Ceremony
• 2:00pm Reenactment of the Last Spike Ceremony
• 3:00pm - 4:15pm Cab Tours of the Locomotives
• 4:30pm Locomotive Ranger Program - Depature of the Locomtives Jupiter and No. 119.
• 5:00pm Visitor Center Closes

Saturday, May 13th Last Spike Commemoration Family Day

Admission to the park is free for this special event. A family friendly fun day honoring the completion of the nations first transcontinental railroad and celebration for those who can not make it on the official anniversary on Tuesday May 10th. The day will feature reenactments of the historic Last Spike Ceremony, locomotive demonstrations, cultural programs, and children’s activities. Bring a picnic lunch and join us for a lively and entertaining spring day.

May 13th Schedule

• 9:00am Visitor Center Opens
• 10:00am Locomotive Ranger Program - Arrival of the locomotives Jupiter and No. 119.
• 11:00am
  • Honoring Irish Heritage and Railroad Workers, Guest Speaker General Council of Ireland, Marcella Smyth
  • Irish Dance and Music by LittleJohn, Presented by Hibernian Society of Utah and Scariff School of Irish Dance Utah, Hibernian Society of Utah
  • Honoring Contributions of Chinese Railroad Workers, Kyle Lin Poetry Reading Presented by CRWDA
• 12:00pm Locomotive Ranger Program with Reenactment and Champagne Photograph Reenactment.
• 1:00pm Guest Speaker and Cultural Demonstrations, Brad Parry of the Northwest Band of the Shoshone
• 1:30pm
  • Honoring Irish Heritage and Railroad Workers, Guest Speaker General Council of Ireland, Marcella Smyth
  • Irish Dance and Music by LittleJohn, Presented by Hibernian Society of Utah and Scariff School of Irish Dance Utah, Hibernian Society of Utah
  • Honoring Contributions of Chinese Railroad Workers, Kyle Lin Poetry Reading Presented by CRWDA
• 2:30pm Locomotive Ranger Program with Reenactment and Champagne Photograph Reenactment.
• 4:30pm Locomotive Ranger Program - Departure of the locomotives Jupiter and No. 119.
• 5:00pm Visitor Center Closes
• All Day:
  • Northwestern Band of the Shoshone – Cultural Demonstration Area, Tipi exhibit crafts, and much more.
  • Chinese Railroad Worker Descendants Association (CRWDA) - Children’s Activities – Children’s flower drums & dragon dance demonstration, & calligraphy
  • Spike 150 Foundation Activity Table
  • BLM – Backcountry Byway Discovery Table and Fire Education/Fire Trucks
  • Ogden Amateur Radio Club (ORAC) – Demonstrating History of Communication
  • Bear River Wildlife Refuge Children’s Discovery and Education Table.
  • NPS Junior Ranger Activity Table