Golden Spike Anniversary Today – UC Bancroft Archive Tapped

Today's the anniversary of the driving of the "golden spike" at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869 – an event that profoundly altered the course of American history.

What does it have to do with Berkeley?

For one, it would be hard to name any other 19th century event that so fulfilled the motto on Berkeley's official seal: "Westward the course of empire takes its way."

And, we're observing the anniversary by publishing the attached image from the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley depicting the famous link-up. It's a Bancroft-owned lithograph reproduction of a painting of the event by British artist Thomas Hill (1829-1908).

The golden spike was used to join the Union Pacific Railroad, racing from the East, and the Central Pacific Railroad, racing from Sacramento. The latter's delegation was led by one of the "Big Four" industrial barons whose name is attached to a well-known academic rival of UC Berkeley on the San Francisco peninsula.

We thank the Bancroft for permission to use the lithograph image.

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