Race Day Live A major piece of Alaska’s history has returned to the state after being out of sight for a long time. The “Golden Spike,” which marked the final connection of the Alaska Railroad, has been purchased and will now be on display again in Alaska.
The spike was used in a July 15, 1923 ceremony in Nenana, Alaska, where President Warren Harding hammered it into place to symbolize the railroad’s completion.
The spike is made of 24-karat gold and is 5.5 inches long, weighing about one pound. It was recently sold for $201,600 at an auction by Christie’s. The purchase was made possible by several private donors, who came together to raise the money.
The spike had spent little time in Alaska after it was used in the ceremony. After being hammered into place by Harding, it was officially given to Col.
Frederick Mears, the U.S. Army engineer who oversaw the railroad’s construction. The city of Anchorage, which had just been created at the time, gave the spike to Mears.
The Golden Spike was briefly shown in exhibits in Alaska, including in Fairbanks in 1967 and in Anchorage in 2001. However, it was not on display for long periods.
The public has now been given a chance to see this important piece of history again. The Anchorage Museum and the city of Nenana have partnered to make sure the spike is shared with the public once more. Though the exact schedule for its display has not been set yet, the spike will be shown at both locations.
The Golden Spike was not the only part of President Harding’s trip to Alaska that left a mark. Harding was the first sitting U.S. president to visit the state, and his visit became a big event.
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He traveled to many places, including Seward, Interior Alaska, and Valdez, marking his connection to Alaska in many ways. One of the lasting legacies of his visit is the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Peninsula, named after him, which remains the largest icefield in the United States.
In the town of Talkeetna, there is also a local legend about Harding’s last days. It is said that he ate a meal and had a haircut at the Fairview Inn in Talkeetna, only to die shortly after returning to the Lower 48.
There’s an unproven legend that Harding’s wife, Florence, poisoned him because of his ongoing affairs. The Fairview Inn now has a display dedicated to Harding, showcasing memorabilia, including images from his time in Alaska.
The return of the Golden Spike to Alaska is not just a win for history lovers, but also a chance for future generations to learn more about the past and the important role the railroad played in shaping the state.
It’s an important symbol of the hard work that went into creating the Alaska Railroad, which continues to be a vital part of the state today.
The spike’s return is a reminder of how far the state has come since its railroad days, and how pieces of history can connect people to the stories of those who shaped the land we know today.
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