Last Spike Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway @ Cliffside, Shawnigan Lake
Posted by: 
Rosewall
N 48° 37.227 W 123° 37.579
10U E 453842 N 5385453
Sir John A. Macdonald drove the last Spike, Cliffside,Shawnigan Lake August 13, 1886.
Waymark Code: WM9Z0K
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 10/19/2010
Views: 18
In 1883, the British Columbia Government appealed to Robert Dunsmuir to build a railway between Esquimalt and Nanaimo. In return Dunsmuir received a substantial amount of money and a land grant that amounted to 20% of the land on Vancouver Island. The project took 3 1/2 years. The 72 miles of track, which was laid starting from both ends Nanaimo and Esquimalt, met at Mile 25 ( Cliffeside, Shawnigan Lake ). In 1886, the inaugural train left Esquimalt with Robert Dunsmuir, John A. Macdonald, their wives and other dignitaries. At Cliffiside, Sir John ceremoniously placed the last spike. He used a silver hammer and pounded a gold spike. A carirn was built at the site to mommemorate the event.
Type of Marker: Geographical / Natural History
Type of Sign: Historic Site or Building Marker
Describe the parking that is available nearby: Cliffeside Road ( very poor )
What Agency placed the marker?: Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway ?
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