+
Article
University of Groningen

American History: Essays: The Iron Horse: The Meeting at Promontory Point

For Students 9th - 10th
From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the events that occurred as the Union Pacific and Central Pacific both reached the endpoint of the railroad at Promontory Point, California....
+
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.
+
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Today in History: May 10: Jefferson Davis & "Wedding of the Rails"

For Students 9th - 10th
Library of Congress presents primary source documents, essays, photos and maps of historical events on May 10th including a ceremony at Promontory Point, Utah for the meeting of the Union Pacific and Central railways and the capture of...
+
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.
+
Article
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

Cprr Photographic History Museum: Driving the Last Spike at Promontory, 1869

For Students 9th - 10th
In-depth look at the ceremony at Promontory Point upon the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The author discusses the preparation for the ceremony, the use of four ceremonial spikes, and what became of them. From an article in...
+
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.
+
Article
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

Magnificent Celebrations in Calfornia

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the completion of the transcontinental railroad and the subsequent celebrations.
+
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.
+
Handout
Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Driving the Last Spike

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a short description of the development of the transcontinental railroad and the "Big Four" behind the construction. From the San Francisco News Letter of September 1925.