Workers of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads are
shown in this historic photograph as they joined in a champagne
hoisting ceremony after the Golden Spike was driven at Promontory,
Utah, on May 10, 1869. This event marked the completion of the
first transcontinental rail line in the United States. The
locomotive at the left is the ‘Jupiter’ of the Central
Union Pacific.
After the ceremony the two engines were unhooked from their
trains and, with cheering celebrants all over them, advanced to
touch pilots. The engines then backed up to their trains, hooked on
and took turns crossing the rails which had been joined. One man
there said the crowd ‘was yelling fit to bust.’