Golden Spike stops in Saratoga

On May 10, 1869 the two ends of the transcontinental railroad were connected during the Golden Spike Ceremony held at Promontory Summit in the Utah Territory.

More than 150 years later, on October 22, people in Saratoga were greeted by the sight of a large golden spike in town. Parked along 1st Street, adjacent to the municipal parking lot, a 43 foot monument to the Golden Spike sat on a trailer. People stopped, examined the item and took pictures of it both from across the street and close up. Shining in the late October sun, the golden spike appeared to be quite the draw as those who stopped examined the various reliefs adorning all four sides of the monument.

The appearance of the giant golden spike in Saratoga is part of a road trip called “Drive the Spike.” According to the website Spike150.org, “Upon completion of the Golden Spike Monument in September 2023, it will travel from the artist’s studio in Kentucky, to its home in Brigham City, Utah. Throughout this road trip, Driving of the Spike, communities along the way will have an opportunity to learn about and view the Monument up close during organized, lively Whistle Stops.”

Saratoga wasn’t one of the “lively Whistle Stops” scheduled on the organization’s website, but it was between two such events in Wyoming. One in Cheyenne, held on October 21, and another in Rock Springs, held on October 23 with a welcome celebration held at the Utah State Capitol later that day.