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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rendezvous at Promontory: A New Look at the Golden Spike Ceremony

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students complete a variety of activities as they examine the historical significance of the Transcontinental Railroad and the Golden Spike Ceremony in Promontory, Utah, which honored its completion. In one activity they plan and...
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Primary
Ibis Communications

Eye Witness to History: Completing the Transcontinental Railroad, 1869

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of the construction of America's Transcontinental Railway, and its completion when the last spike was driven (after several misses) in Utah to connect the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railways. Travel across the...
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Graphic
PBS

New Perspectives on the West: Promontory Point, Utah

For Students 6th - 8th
A map and brief description of the events at Promontory Point, Utah where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads joined to make the first transcontinental railroad.
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Handout
Utah Education Network

Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Golden Spike National Historic Site

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about the first transcontinental railroad, which was built by nearly 30,000 Irish, German, Italian, and Chinese laborers.
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Article
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

Cprr: Completion of the Pacific Railroad

For Students 9th - 10th
From Chapter 105 of R. M. Devens' 1878 book, "Our First Century" is this description of the building of the transcontinental railroad and the ceremony of driving the final spike.
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Golden Spike National Historic Site

For Students 9th - 10th
Homepage of the Golden Spike National Historic Site. Provides general information about the completion of the transcontinental railroad and contains links to other information.