Victoreno @ Golden Spike Mountain in Brigham City, Utah

1. Golden Spike Historical Museum is located approximately 30 miles west of Brigham City and 15 miles south of Tremonton in Utah.

2. It’s a famous cultural landmark commemorating the driving of the last spike connecting the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad on May 10, 1859. The final spike was actually made of gold and was placed into a pre-made hole by dignitaries on that date. Visitors can ride on trains re-enacting the event and visit a museum dedicated to preserving the site and its history.

3. The area is desolate for 30 miles in one direction, 15 miles in another, and hundreds of miles south and southwest. It is about the same as when the pioneers first came to the valley in 1847 in nearby Salt Lake. There is no sound when you are out there, it is extremely isolated on that fact, and scary also to be that alone.

4. There are no permanent residents for many miles. Visitors, school children, and tourists are the only people who visit the site and those for not much more than an hour at a time.

5. The climate is hot and dry with sagebrush the most dominant plant. Summer temperatures are usually in the mid 90’s and winter temperatures are in the 30’s.

Lauralee Browne

Mr. Andersen