BETA
Chapter 1
The great race begins
Chapter 2
The muscle behind the mountain
Chapter 3
Engineering the impossible
Chapter 4
The golden spike and its aftermath
YOUR GOAL
Master of How iron rails and steam engines united America
Ch 4 · The golden spike and its aftermath
olivia_learns Hammer iron spikes to discover how the transcontinental railroad stitched America together.
olivia_learns The destructive impact of western railroads on Great Plains Native nations.
olivia_learns A map of America shows a railway line stitching the coasts together.
olivia_learns Glowing neon tracks and a bright telegraph pulse stitch a holographic map of America
Fun Fact
The golden spike: The famous ceremonial spike driven in 1869 was actually made of 17.6-karat gold and is now kept in a California museum.
Glossary
golden spike (noun)
A ceremonial final spike driven into a railway line to mark its completion. On May 10, 1869, Leland Stanford tapped the iconic spike at Promontory Summit, Utah.
A ceremonial final spike driven into a railway line to mark its completion. On May 10, 1869, Leland Stanford tapped the iconic spike at Promontory Summit, Utah.
Quiz
How did the transcontinental railroad affect Native American nations of the Plains?
Quiz
How was the driving of the final spike broadcast live to the rest of the United States?
Quiz
What ceremonial object was driven into the final tie to symbolize the completion of the railroad?
Quiz
What single word was telegraphed across America to announce the railroad's completion?
Quiz
Where did the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads finally meet on May 10, 1869?
Quiz
How much did the transcontinental railroad reduce the travel time across the United States?