News Release

“Un-Driving of the Golden Spike” author, Jim Reisdorff, Speaks at Homestead National Monument of America

Train Coming into Promontory Point, Utah

Golden Spike National Historic Site

News Release Date: April 29, 2019

Contact: Susan Cook, 402-223-3514

Author Jim Reisdorff will present his book “The Un-Driving of the Golden Spike.” This program will take place at the Homestead Education Center on Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m.
 
This year marks the 150^th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike – a ceremonial celebration of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. After years of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads stretching out to each other across the United States from Sacramento, California, and Omaha, Nebraska, the two met at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869.
 
Jim Reisdorff and his co-authors Jeff Terry and Thornton H. Waite explore the story of the “un-driving” of the Golden Spike, an event replicating the ceremonial driving of the Golden Spike - in reverse. This “un-driving” happened in 1942, 73 years after the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The tracks were then torn up for military use during World War II. While the tracks, the trains, and even the spike were gone, the story doesn’t end there. The Golden Spike was the symbol of a decades-long effort to preserve the history of Promontory Point, culminating in its designation as Golden Spike National Historical Park on July 30, 1965.
 
Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2019. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM) and Facebook (HomesteadNM).

Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska and 45 miles south of Lincoln. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit http://www.nps.gov/home/.

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