The Last Spike

"It's good to see that another marker hasn't gone down in vain especially with how far I have driven! I'm pretty sure this replacement marker here alongside the choo-choo tracks is a replacement, but I won't fully know until I get back home to investigate ... IF I can get any information at all. Roads are one thing that have shaped Nevada, but trains are an entirely different creature altogether. Transport across the region, across the state ... across the country is a gargantuan feat and a much needed in this gargantuan United States. #195 conquered." -- March 2009

[195]       

Along S. Las Vegas Blvd, 3.8 miles north of Jean

Las Vegas & Clark County
  35.823775, -115.287557

Original Date Visited: 3/16/09
Revisited: 10/21/22
Signed: No

Notes: For an added bonus, look for a dirt track leading north to the railroad tracks, approximately 0.7 mile north of the marker. Keep a sharp lookout for Milemarker 10. Once you spot it follow up by immediately looking for a dirt path leading toward the railroad tracks. This shouldn't be too difficult because there is only one dirt path at Mile Marker 10. Here is what you'll see from the road.

Follow this dirt track less than a quarter mile to find the sign below. This marker was placed around 2000 so that trains could see the sign as they passed. Pretty cool, eh?

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Exact Description:
Due to the removal of the original plaque, the following text may never be read again. As of this date, all text for this marker is gone. The following description is the text taken the Nevada State Archives and the State Historic Preservation Office ...

Exact Description (Original):

This site is near where workers drove the last spike which completed the railroad between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Los Angeles, California. It was driven on January 30, 1905. This was the last "transcontinental" line to Southern California and one of the last lines built to the Pacific Coast. There was no formal celebration at the time of the last spike. The men on the spot gave some recognition to the event.

Las Vegas owes its existence to the railroad, then known as the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad, as the men in charge laid out the town and established a division point there, taking advantage of a good supply of water.

Exact Description (New):
On January 30, 1905, near this site, workers drove the last spike that completed the railroad between Salt Lake City, Utah and Los Angeles, California. This was the last “transcontinental” line to southern California and one of the last lines built to the Pacific Coast. Although there was no formal celebration at the time of the last spike, those present gave some recognition to the event.

Las Vegas owes its existence to the railroad, then known as the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. Because the valley had a good supply of water, the railroad company platted the Las Vegas town site and established a division point there.

The Spike that Created Las Vegas

Interstate 95 Roadtrip
 COVERED IN US 95 ROAD TRIP

Next Marker

U.S. MINT AT CARSON CITY, NEVADA

Related Links & Markers:

 - 40 - Las Vegas "The Meadows"   - 197 - Arrowhead Trail II   The Spike That Created Las Vegas 

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