Unfortunately, the marker has recently
been vandalized. Stealing scrap metal
has become a major "business" in San
Joaquin County and the bronce plaques
of historical markers are a prime target.
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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 the 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.
The bridge
itself is at N37°47.249’ W 121°18.484’ in Mossdale
Crossing Park. There is $5 admission fee to the
park.
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