The Golden Spike Tower & Visitor Center is a popular tourist attraction located in North Platte, Nebraska, USA. It is a historical site that commemorates the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in the United States.
First Transcontinental Railroad
We love history and museums. And this one will not disappoint. Linking the east and the west, this is the First Transcontinental Railroad which was completed on May 10, 1869, when the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad met at Promontory Summit in Utah. A golden spike was driven into the final tie to symbolize the completion of this monumental engineering feat, connecting the eastern and western parts of the United States by rail.
North Platte, Nebraska was chosen as a railroad town by Union Pacific because of its close proximity to good water, and its distance from Grand Island, Nebraska. The yard is located in the midst of key east-west and north-south corridors, on the busiest freight rail line in America, making it a critical component of Union Pacific’s rail network.
Observation Tower
The Golden Spike Tower was built near Bailey Yard, which is the world’s largest railroad classification yard, located in North Platte. The tower offers visitors a unique vantage point to view the yard and its operations, as well as breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding area.
Take the elevator or climb the stairs up 83ft in the air to the 7th floor! On the outdoor portion you will find the observation deck. This is where you can completely immerse yourself into the grandness of the yard life with all the movement, sights and sounds you can imagine.
The second area to view within the tower is 95ft in the air on our 8th floor. This floor is a 360 degree enclosure with a bird’s eye view of Bailey Yard. It’s great to escape the weather but also filled with information and if you’re lucky like us, you’ll have a former employee volunteering to answer all your questions. And Mark had a LOT of questions!
Visitor Center and Feature Video
Inside the visitor center, you can explore exhibits and displays related to the history of the railroad, the construction of the transcontinental railroad, and the significance of this achievement in American history. It offers an opportunity to learn about the challenges faced during the construction, the lives of the workers involved, and the impact of the railroad on the nation’s development. Make sure you watch the video next to the gift shop… it’s a plethora of information!
A Harvest Host That's Great for Big Rigs
This is another Harvest Host that is Big Rig friendly! There is plenty of room in their gravel parking lot. So you shouldn’t have any reason to back up. There is plenty of open space around the Tower which makes for a lovely evening of hearing the trains. We didn’t really think it was loud. I actually enjoyed it and had no problem sleeping!
Overall, the Golden Spike Tower & Visitor Center is a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts, railroad enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning more about the remarkable feat that helped shape the United States’ growth and connectivity. It provides a chance to step back in time and experience the history of the American West through the lens of its railroads.
Check out our YouTube video below 😊
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