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Ceremony to drive the last spike, May 10, 1869
Courtesy of Oakland Museum of California, Andrew J. Russell Collection
For many, completing the Transcontinental Railroad symbolized achievement and national unity -- yet it was built with mostly immigrant labor. Ironically, the famous photos show few of the workers who built the road.
Golden spike
Gift of Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad made replica spikes commemorating the event, including this one given to the Smithsonian in 1958. |