OK, we're (sorta) back on schedule with the BLOG entries. The (Auto) date should indicate it's Monday morning, which is correct, and the day I'm writing this entry. However this BOLG entry is really for yesterday (Sunday), September 16, 2012.
This was a short drive day from Provo, Utah to Brigham City, Utah. Only 211 miles. We planned it that way.
Why? You ask. Well this is the "First Planned Stop" on our trip, and we wanted to have time to make the visit without having to stay an extra day.
One of the most significant Historical events in US history took place not to far from here in 1869. An event that most people KNOW about, but don't really UNDERSTAND about. You see ... Brigham City, Utah, is one of the "Gateway" cities to the Promontory Point area, a piece of desolate 'High Desert' land, North of the Great Salt Lake.
Promontory Point... Promontory Point... That sounds familiar... But I just can't place it. Well here it is...
<== 1869 Photo (actual)
Modern Reenactment ==>
Promontory Point, Utah is where, in 1869, the United States of America truly became UNITED. At this site the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads drove the FINAL (Golden) spike, tying their respective tracks together, to create the first "Continental Railroad"
On August 10th, two steam engines, the "Jupiter" from the Central Pacific, and "No. 119" from the Union Pacific, faced each-other only a few feet apart. When the Engineers from each company, that were standing on the "Cattle Catchers" of each Engine, shook hands... the country was UNITED for the first time Commercially. A trip that used to take 6 months, now could be completed in 6 days. Goods from the East Coast manufacturing hubs could be sold on the West Coast. And Gold and Buffalo hides (another sad story in American history) from the West Coast, cold find their way to the Industrial cities of the East.
Jupiter and No. 119 as they look today.
Both of these Steam Engines are replicas of the originals.
Made by a California company,
they are said to be exact in every detail to within a 1/4 inch tolerance.
I gotta tell you, this is a place I've always wanted to go. Not because I'm a Railroad guy, although there is something very special about these Victorian 'Gilded' Steamers, but because I'm a History Guy. It was terrific being right here at the place it all happened.
Of course the 2 engines were REPLICAS, the Laurel Tie was a REPLICA, the Golden Spike is in a museum at the Union Pacific headquarters, and the other "Precious Metal" spikes (Yes... there were more than one Ceremonial Spike) are located in other places (not here), there is NO REAL HISTORY to see, other than the track, and it's been replaced over the years.
Oh well... That's the nature of history.
