1914 “Golden Spike” Marker Placed Monday, September 15

1914 "Golden Spike" Marker Placed Monday, September 15

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Friday, September 12, 2025 at 8:37 p.m.

Spokane, Wash. - On September 15, 1914, railroad executives from Spokane and around the United States gathered on a newly constructed railroad trestle, towering high above the Spokane River and over the top of the Monroe Street Bridge, to celebrate the completion of a critical railroad link by pounding a golden spike into the final railroad tie.

This Monday, September 15, community members will gather to place a marker near this site, 111 years later, to recognize the historic achievement and its impact on Spokane.

Spokane "Golden Spike" Memorial Plaque Gathering

Monday, September 15, 2025

1 p.m.

Along the Centennial Trail under the Monroe Street Bridge, in Kendall Yards

The marker was obtained by the Jonas Babcock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.), through a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. It is being placed in cooperation with the Spokane Historic Preservation Office on City of Spokane Parks & Recreation-managed public land.

History

The golden spike celebrated the completion of the Ayer-Cutoff, a 105-mile section of railroad from Spokane to the southwest which shortened travel to the west coast by multiple hours and connected Spokane with a vast system of railroad which had been previously inaccessible to Spokanites.

On that same day, Spokane's Union Station train depot opened providing passenger services. Union Station was located at the corner of Spokane Falls Boulevard and Stevens Street near the location of the Big Red Wagon. The depot was demolished in order to make way to Expo '74.

The ceremonial golden spike was the final link in Spokane's railroad network necessary to guarantee its place amongst the most critical railroad hubs in the American West.

Robert E. Strahorn, a Spokanite and Browne's Addition resident, championed railroad development and specifically the Ayer-Cutoff. He secured massive investment in Spokane and helped to confirm its status as a railroad hub.

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