Important date. Years ago, I went to one of those programs the NPS puts on in Utah showing the meeting of the two companies--and much to my surprise, I really enjoyed it! If you ever have a chance to go-do it !
On May 10, 1869 Leland Stanford, president of the Central Pacific Railroad went to Promontory Summit, Utah and drove a Golden Spike through a railroad log, connecting the Central Pacific Railroad from the west and the Union Pacific Railroad from the east, creating the first transcontinental railroad.
Little attention was paid to the fact that at this time a westward bound train ride would have ended just 40 miles shy of the Pacific coast. A little bridge across San Joaquin River in California was still under construction and became in fact the last piece of the Transcontinental Railway to be completed. The first train crossed the bridge on September 8, 1869 and it remains in use until this day.
Bill, what a great piece of history and a much closer destination for the 150th anniversary! Thanks for posting and adding to the history. This is great!