GOVERNMENT

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GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MON

HEARING

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON PARKS AND RECREATION

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON

INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS

UNITED STATES SENATE

EIGHTY-NINTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

S.26

A BILL AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GOLDEN

SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT IN THE STATE OF UTAH

MAY 19, 1965

Printed for the use of the

Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs

ILLS. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

48-320 WASHINGTON: 1965
Rozel 

23

T

5

19

PROMONTORY

SUMM!T

9

0

Thiokol

3,

2 3 4

SCALE IN MILES

SALT LAKE MERID'AN

PROPOSED

GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

UTA H

FEBRUARY 1963
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1965

U.S. SENATE,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON PARKS AND RECREATION

OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS,

Washington, D.C.

The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 9:10 a.m., in room

3112, Senate Office Building, Senator Alan Bible presiding.

Present: Senators Alan Bible of Nevada and Frank E. Moss of Utah.

Also present: Jerry T. Verkler, staff director; Roy M. Whitacre, professional staff member, and Crocker Price, assistant minority counsel.

Senator BIBLE. The subcommittee will come to order.

This is the time that we have regularly noted and set for the hearing

on the Golden Spike National Monument and, at this point in the

record, please insert the bills that have been introduced on this

particular subject. I don't know whether there is one by Senator

Bennett or not. If there is one, that will be introduced as well.

(The bill introduced by Senator Moss follows:)

[S. 26, 89th Cong., 1st sess.]

A BILL Authorizing the establishment of the Golden Spike National Monument in the State of Utah

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States

of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior shall acquire

on behalf of the United States by gift, purchase, condemnation, or otherwise,

all right, title, and interest in and to such lands, together with any improvements

thereon, as the Secretary may deem necessary for the purpose of establishing a

national monument commemorating the completion of the first transcontinental

railroad across the United States on the site described on a map entitled "Proposed

Golden Spike National Historic Site, Utah", prepared by the National Park

Service, Southwest Region, dated February 1963.

SEC. 2. (a) The property acquired under the provisions of the first section

of this Act shall be designated as the "Golden Spike National Monument" and

shall be set aside as a public national memorial. The National Park Service,

under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, shall administer, protect,

and develop such monument, subject to the provisions of the Act entitled "An

Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes", approved

August 25, 1916, as amended and supplemented, and the Act entitled "An Act

to provide for the preservation of historiic American sites, buildings, objects, and

antiquities of national significance, and for other purposes", approved August 21,

1935, as amended.

(b) In order to provide for the proper development and maintenance of such

national monument, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to construct and

maintain therein such markers, buildings, and other improvements, and such

facilities for the care and accommodation of visitors, as he may deem necessary.

SEC. 3. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be

necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

1
2 GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Hon. HENRY M. JACKSON,

Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs,

L' .S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR JACKSON: Your committee has requested a report on S. 26, a

bill authorizing the establishment of the Golden Spike National Monument in

the State of Utah.

We recommend the enactment of S. 26, amended as suggested herein.

The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to acquire all right, title, and

interest in and to such lands and improvements as he deems necessary for establishing a national monument on the site depicted on a map prepared by the National Park Service. The monument would commemorate the completion of the

first transcontinental railroad across the United States,

The bill provides for designation of the property acquired as the Golden Spike

National Monument, to be set aside as a public national memorial. The national

monument would be administered under the act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 525;

16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), as amended and supplemented, and the act of August 21,

1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.). The Secretary of the Interior is

authorized to construct and maintain markers, buildings and other improvements,

and such facilities as he deems necessary for the care and accommodation of

visitors.

Perhaps no single event contributed so much to the development of the West

than the completion of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States.

On May 10, 1869, the Union Pacific Railroad from the east was joined with the

Central Pacific Railroad from the west in a ceremony highlighted by the driving

of a golden spike to secure the rail linking the continent.

On April 2, 1957, the Secretary of the Interior designated a 7-acre tract of

Southern Pacific Railroad land, which encompassed the site where east and west

(The bill introduced by Senator Bennett follows:)

[S. 330, 89th Cong., 1st sess.]

A BILL To provide for the establishment of the Golden Spike National Monument in the State of Utah

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of

America in Congress assembled, That, for the purpose of commemorating the

completion of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States, as

recommended in an area investigation report by the National Park Service,

Southwest Region, numbered NHS—GS 7100A, dated February 1963, the Secretary of the Interior shall acquire, on behalf of the United States, by gift, purchase,

condemnation, or otherwise, all right, title, and interest in and to such land,

together with any improvements thereon, as the Secretary may deem necessary

in order to establish a national monument in the State of Utah at the site of such

completion, including the site of the driving of the golden spike symbolizing

such completion.

SEC. 2. (a) The property acquired under the provisions of the first section of

this Act shall be designated as the Golden Spike National Monument and shall

be set aside as a public national memorial. The National Park Service, under

the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, shall administer, protect, and

develop such monument, subject to the provisions of the Act entitled "An Act

to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes", approved August

25, 1916, as amended and supplemented, and the Act entitled "An Act to provide

for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities

of national significance, and for other purposes", approved August 21, 1935, as

amended.

(b) In order to provide for the proper development and maintenance of such

national monument, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to construct and

maintain therein such markers, buildings, and other improvements, and such

facilities for the care and accommodation of visitors, as he may deem necessary.

SEC. 3. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be

necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Senator BIBLE. Likewise, insert the favorable reports of the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of the Budget on S. 26, a

bill authorizing the establishment of Golden Spike National Monument in the State of Utah.

(The documents referred to follow:)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY,

Washington, D.C., May 17, 1965.
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 3

met, as the Golden Spike National Historic Site. The 7-acre tract is located in

a gentle valley between the Promontory and North Promontory Mountains about

25 miles west of Corrine, Utah. Pursuant to a cooperative agreement between

the United States, the State of Utah, the Golden Spike Association of Box Elder

County, Utah, the Southern Pacific Railroad Co., and the Central Pacific Railroad

Co., the national historic site is maintained by the Golden Spike Association of

Box Elder County. Technical advice is furnished to the association by the United

States through the National Park Service of this Department. The designation

of the Southern Pacific Co. land as a national historic site in non-Federal ownership and the cooperative agreement were accomplished under the authority of the

Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666;

16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.).

Developments of the present Golden Spike National Historic Site consist of a

concrete monument, brass plaque, and two parallel lengths of rail on the 7-acre

tract leased from the Southern Pacific Co.

The Advisory Board on National Parks, Historic Sites, Buildings, and Monuments in October 1959 recommended development and interpretation of the area

by this Department. In September 1960 the Board again endorsed enlargement

and further development of the area.

Under S. 26, the proposed area would consist of 153 miles of the original rightof-way at Promontory Summit, including impressive cuts, fills, and original

grades, together with adjoining lands needed for development of administrative

and interpretive facilities. The area would include the "big fill" and "big

trestle" site and the viewpoint overlooking the former location of Rozel (the

lunch stop during the epic 10 miles of track laying in 1 day). These will serve as

potential exhibit sites.

The nationally significant historical event, which created a transportation

system connecting the Atlantic and Pacific shores and which replaced the stage

coaches and obviated the need for a long sea voyage, should be commemorated in

a fully developed Golden Spike National Historic Site of a size adequate to preserve

and interpret the remaining features.

We recommend the following amendments of the bill:

1. Amend the title to read "To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to

acquire lands for, and to develop, operate, and maintain, the Golden Spike

National Historic Site."

We believe that the present designation of the area as a national historic site

should be retained. This term reflects the historic character of the values represented more appropriately than does the designation "national monument."

2. On page I, line 5, delete the words "all right, title, and interest in and to

such lands" and substitute therefor "such lands and interests in lands".

This amendment will permit the Secretary of the Interior to acquire less than

the fee title, such as easements and rights-of-way, where it would be feasible to

do so.

3. On page 1, lines 7 and 8, and on page 2, lines 5, 8, and 17, delete the word

"monument" and substitute therefor the words "historic site", in the appropriate

case letters.

The reason for this amendment is the same as given for amendment No. 1.

4. On page 2, line 2, insert after the period the following sentences:

"In exercising his authority to acquire property by exchange, the Secretary

may accept title to any non-Federal property within the area depicted on such

drawing, and in exchange therefor he may convey to the grantor of such property

any federally owned property under his jurisdiction which he classifies as suitable for exchange or other disposal. The properties so exchanged shall be of

approximately equal value: Provided, That the Secretary may accept cash from,

or pay cash to, the grantor in order to equalize the values of the properties exchanged."

This amendment will make the limits of the exchange authority explicit, and

will facilitate land exchanges by authorizing the Secretary to receive or pay

money to equalize values.

The total amount of land proposed for acquisition is 2,176 acres, of which

634 acres are owned by the State of Utah. The remainder is in private ownership.

We anticipate that the State-owned lands will be acquired through exchange.

We estimate the cost of acquiring the private lands to be $118,000.

Development will consist of an interpretive center, administrative facilities,

signs, markers, and construction of a circulatory roadway. Stabilization of the

railroad grades will also be undertaken. We estimate the development costs to

be about $1,050,000 and annual operating and maintenance costs to be $80,000.
4 GOLDEN SPIKE. NATIONAL MONUMENT

The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection to the presentation of this report from the standpoint of the administration's program.

Sincerely yours,

STEWART L. UDALL,

Secretary of the Interior.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,

BUREAU OF THE BUDGET,

Washington, D.C., May 18, 1965.

Hon. HENRY M. JACKSON,

Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs,

U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in response to your request for the views of the

Bureau of the Budget on S. 26, a bill authorizing the establishment of the Golden

Spike National Monument in the State of Utah.

The report which the Secretary of the Interior is submitting describes the historical significance of the area to be acquired and recommends the enactment of

the bill, amended in certain respects.

The Bureau of the Budget would have no objection to the enactment of S. 26

if amended as suggested by the Secretary of the Interior.

Sincerely yours,

PHILLIP S. HUGHES,

Assistant Director for Legislative Reference.

Senator BIBLE. Our first witness this morning will be the junior

Senator from the State of Utah, Senator Moss.

STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK E. MOSS, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE

STATE OF UTAH

Senator Moss. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

First of all, let me say how much I appreciate your setting this

hearing on relatively short notice in order for us to consider this

this morning. We have been talking about a Golden Spike Monumnet

for some time. Now it looks as though we are getting right down to

business.

I have a prepared statement, Mr. Chairman, that I won't take time

to read in full. I ask permission that it be printed in the record at

this point.

Senator BIBLE. Without objection, that will be the order, and the

statement will be printed in full.

(The statement referred to follows:)

STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK E. Moss., A U. S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF UTAH

Mr. Chairman, the bill before us (S. 26) would create a Golden Spike National

Monument at Promontory, 30 miles west of Brigham City in Box Elder County,

Utah.

The action is long overdue. It was at Promontory, as we all know, that the

first transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869. President

Leland Stanford of the Central Pacific and Vice President Durant of the Union

Pacific drove a golden spike to climax the roadbuilding race, joining twin bands of

steel stretching from ocean to ocean.

This was one of our great American dreams. It welded the Union from sea to

sea. The transcontinental railroad had been viewed by many as an impractical

dream. But President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill which created and financed the Union Pacific Railway, and authorized the construction of a railroad

and telegraph line from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to the west. Another railroad, the

Central Pacific—now the Southern Pacific—was also established and financed, and

it began building eastward. The result was the greatest roadbuilding race in

history.
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 5

It was originally estimated it would take 12 years to build the track. The job

was finished in 61A years, mostly with hand labor. The last 10 miles of track was

laid in a single day, a world record which still remains unbroken.

The railroad engineers conquered Indians, sweltering heat, subzero weather,

and the seemingly unassailable ramparts of the towering Rockies and Sierra

Nevadas. A heterogeneous host of workmen was used—including brawny

Irishmen, pigtailed Chinese, and industrious Mormons. Success was achieved

only by a veritable miracle of organization and teamwork, and the unbelievable

endurance of the men who laid the rails.

The "marriage of the rails" fulfilled the dream of Columbus for a shorter route

to the Orient, insured possession of the entire West to the United States and began

a new era of development for the Nation.

Yet the spot where this historic event took place is now commemorated by only

a small concrete marker, fenced in by an iron railing. The marker is a natural

target for gunners in the area—and is badly scarred. The total area involved is

about 7 acres, in non-Federal ownership. It has been recognized by the Department of the Interior as a national historical site, and is presently administered

by the Golden Spike Association of Box Elder County, and the State of Utah,

pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary of the Interior.

In just 4 short years-1969—we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of

the momentous event at Promontory. The importance of that event in the

history and the economic development of our Nation deserve greater recognition

than the small marker now there.

My bill (S. 26) would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire title

of some 2,000 acres and to establish on them a Golden Spike National Monument.

I would not be adverse to having this expanded area still called a national

historical site, if the area better fits into that Department's system of classification

of parks, monuments, etc. But I do feel that Promontory Point should be upgraded and given some of the significance its role in our history justifies.

I am convinced that if the site is improved, and made more attractive, it will

quickly become a mecca for tourists and for railroad and history buffs. Interstate

Highway 15, which will link Salt Lake with Pocatello, Portland, and Seattle, will

pass within 25 miles of Promontory. There is already an excellent road from

U.S. 15 to the site.

The 2,000 acres of the improved site would include a right-of-way donated by

the Southern Pacific Railroad, consisting mostly of old roadbed, 634 acres owned

by the State of Utah, and some 1,542 privately owned acres.

The expanded area would consist of: the 7-acre tract of the present historic

site; the portion of the old railroad bed, which is some 15 miles long and 400 feet

wide, and a 2-mile-square tract of land for use as the location of a visitors' center,

and, I hope, eventually of a railroad museum where some of the relics of the area's

history can be preserved.

A significant step toward establishment of an enlarged site was taken last

March when the Southern Pacific Railroad deeded to the Federal Government a

right-of-way covering 730 acres containing the old roadbed. However, the Department of Justice has now raised questions concerning title to this land, and

this is one reason why I am asking the Congress to authorize a Golden Spike

National Monument, so land titles can be cleared under authority granted by the

law.

It has been estimated that total land acquisition; that is acquisition of private

land in the proposed area, should not cost more than about $118,000. State

lands would be transferred subject, of course, to in-lieu selections of comparable

Federal lands in Utah, where nearly 70 percent of our lands are federally owned.

Mr. Chairman, I feel this is the time to move on legislation which will establish

a fitting memorial at Promontory, so we will be ready properly to celebrate the

centennial of the driving of the golden spike 4 years hence. The Utah State

Legislature, at its recent session, created a golden spike centennial commission

and authorized it to direct a centennial celebration to be held in 1969; $10,000

was appropriated for the commission's use in the coming biennium.

Utahan's Inc., an organization of individuals and representatives of civic organizations and governmental units interested in Utah tourism, has made the Golden

Spike Centennial a priority project for the years ahead.

For the past 20 years, the Gold Spike Association, a local organization, has

conducted yearly celebrations to commemorate the driving of the golden spike,

and these fine people who have not ever forgotten the site's significance must

also be brought into all the plans for the centenary.

4 8 — 3 2 0 —6 5-2
6 GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

But the first step is to give the area the status it deserves so its full development

may be undertaken, by the National Park Service, and it can be ready for its

rendevous with history in 1969.

I hope that this bill will be favorably reported by this subcommittee at an

early date.

Senator Moss. The bill before us (S. 26) would create a Golden

Spike National Monument at Promontory, 30 miles west of Brigham

City in Box Elder County, Utah.

The action is long overdue. It was at Promontory, as we all know,

that the first transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10,

1869. President Leland Stanford of the Central Pacific and Vice

President Durant of the Union Pacific drove a golden spike to climax

the roadbuilding race, joining twin bands of steel stretching from

ocean to ocean.

This was one of our great American dreams. It welded the Union

from sea to sea. The transcontinental railroad had been viewed by

many as an impractical dream. But President Abraham Lincoln

signed the bill which created and financed the Union Pacific Railway,

and authorized the construction of a railroad and telegraph line from

Council Bluffs, Iowa, to the West.

Another railroad, the Central Pacific—now the Southern Pacific—

was also established and financed, and it began building eastward.

The result was the greatest roadbuilding race in history.

It was originally estimated it would take 12 years to build the

track. The job was finished in 6M years, mostly with hand labor.

The last 10 miles of track was laid in a single day, a world record

which still remains unbroken.

The railroad engineers conquered Indians, sweltering heat, subzero weather, and the seemingly unassailable ramparts of the towering

Rockies and Sierra Nevadas. A heterogeneous host of workmen were

used, including brawny Irishmen, pigtailed Chinese, and industrious

Mormons. Success was achieved only by a veritable miracle of

organization and teamwork, and the unbelievable endurance of the

men who laid the rails.

The "marriage of the rails" fulfilled the dream of Columbus for

a shorter route to the Orient, insured possession of the entire West

to the United States, and began a new era of development of the

Nation.

Yet the spot where this historic event took place is now commemorated by only a small concrete marker, fenced in by an iron railing

The marker is a natural target for gunners in the area and is badly

scarred. The total area involved is about 7 acres in non-Federal

ownership. It has been recognized by the Department of the Interior as a national historical site, and is presently administered by

the Golden Spike Association of Box Elder County, and the State of

Utah, pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary of the Interior.

In just 4 short years, 1969, we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the momentous event at Promontory. The importance

of that event in the history and the economic development of our

Nation deserve greater recognition than the small marker now there.

My bill (S. 26) would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to

acquire title to some 2,000 acres and to establish on them a Golden

Spike National Monument. I would not be adverse to having this

expanded area still called a national historical site, if the area better

fits into that Department's system of classification of parks, monu-
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 7

ments, etc. But I do feel that Promontory Point should be upgraded

and given some of the significance its role in our history justifies.

I am convinced that if the site is improved, and made more attractive, it will quickly become a mecca for tourists and for railroad and

history. buffs. Interstate Highway 15, which will link Salt Lake with

Pocatello, Portland, and Seattle, will pass within 25 miles of Promontory. There is already an excellent road from U.S. 15 to the site.

The 2,000 acres of the improved site would include a right-of-way

donated by the Southern Pacific Railroad, consisting mostly of old

roadbed, 634 acres owned by the State of Utah, an some 1,542 privately

owned acres.

The expanded area would consist of the 7-acre tract of the present

historic site; the portion of the old railroad bed, which is some 15

miles long and 400 feet wide, and a 2-mile-square tract of land for

use as the location of a visitor's center, and, I hope, eventually of a

railroad museum where some of the relics of the area's history can be

preserved.

A significant step toward establishment of an enlarged site was

taken last March when the Southern Pacific Railroad deeded to the

Federal Government a right-of-way covering 730 acres containing the

old roadbed. However, the Department of Justice has now raised

questions concerning title to this land, and this is one reason why I

am asking the Congress to authorize a Golden Spike National Monument, so land titles can be cleared under authority granted by the law.

It has been estimated that total land acquisition—that is, acquisition of private land in the proposed area—should not cost more than

about $118,000. State lands would be transferred subject, of course,

to in lieu selections of comparable Federal lands in Utah, where nearly

70 percent of our lands are federally owned.

Mr. Chairman, I feel this is the time to move on legislation which

will establish a fitting memorial at Promontory, so we will be ready

properly to celebrate the centennial of the driving of the golden

spike 4 years hence.

The Utah State Legislature, at its recent session, created a Golden

Spike Centennial Commission and authorized it to direct a centennial

celebration to be held in 1969. Ten thousand dollars was appropriated for the commission's use for the coming biennium.

Utahn's, Inc., an organization of individuals and representatives

of civic organizations and governmental units interested in Utah

tourism, has made the golden spike centennial a priority project for

the years ahead.

For the past 20 years, the Golden Spike Association, a local organization, has conducted yearly celebrations to commemorate the driving

of the golden spike. These fine people, who have never forgotten the

site's significance, must also be brought into all the plans for the

centenary.

But the first step is to give the area the status it deserves so its

full development may be undertaken by the National Park Service

and it can be ready for its rendezvous with history in 1969.

I hope that this bill will be favorably reported by this subcommittee

at an early date.

I also have, Mr. Chairman, a letter that has just been delivered to

me from Congressman David King, in which Congressman King

indicates he cannot be present this morning, and it is his endorsement

of the bill.,
8 GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

I ask that this be printed in the record at this point.

Senator BIBLE. Without objection, the letter from Congressman

King will be incorporated in the record at this point.

(The letter referred to follows:)

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, D.C., May 18, 1965. HOD. ALAN BIBLE,

Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks and Recreation, Committee on Interior

and Insular Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: The press of important business in my own committees in the House of Representatives prevents my appearing with Senator Moss and Senator Bennett and Governor Rampton in behalf of the pronosed Golden Spike National Monument. However, I am very anxious that this legislation receive

favorable consideration by your committee, and I strongly support the efforts of Senators Bennett and Moss before your committee.

Hearings before the appropriate House committees will be held early in June.

Very truly yours,

DAVID S. KING,

Member of Congress.

Senator Moss. I am most pleased that Congressman Burton is

here, and I am sure Senator Bennett will be here, because I think we

all in Utah are in full agreement that this area should be designated as

a national monument or a national historic site, and let me say in

this regard that the favorable report of the Department of Interior

and the National Park Service recommends some rather minor

amendments.

One amendment recommended, however, is that the name be

changed from a national monument to a national historic site. As far

as I am concerned, as the author of the bill, I would gladly accept

this amendment.

It is offered, as I understand, to keep the nomenclature clarified,

and my discussions with the Director of the National Park Service

on this and other historical sites indicates that the management and

preservation and development is no different between a monument

and a national historic site, so it is not changing it really in any way

except to more accurately describe what is being created here, a

historic site, and certainly that is the notable thing.

This is the place where the railroads joined, and it is a more historic

place and event than a monument. Therefore, as a historic site, it

could be preserved and developed just as fully as a national monument,

and I want to indicate that I would concur in this recommended

amendment.

The Governor of the State of Utah intends to appear here this

morning. He is now appearing before an appropriations subcommittee. And at such time as he can be free from that obligation, he

will appear to testify here.

Senator BIBLE. I understand, and we will be very happy to hear

him whenever he is available.

The next witness will be Congressman Laurence Burton. Mr.

Congressman, we will be happy to hear from you at this time, sir.
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 9

STATEMENT OF HON. LAURENCE J. BURTON, A MEMBER OF

CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF UTAH

Mr. BURTON. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I have a very short statement. I would just like to read it into the

record.

Senator BIBLE. Certainly.

Mr. BURTON. First of all, let me say that all the members of the

Utah congressional delegation are in accord with this, and there is no

disagreement that I am aware of in the State on this proposal.

I welcome the opportunity to appear before the Interior Committee

of the Senate in support of a bill to establish a Golden Spike National

Monument at Promontory Summit, Utah.

The proposed monument would be located in the district that I am

privileged to represent in Congress. The establishment of the Golden

Spike National Monument is endorsed by all members of the Utah

congressional delegation, and also enjoys the support of numerous

persons, groups, and organizations in the State itself.

The National Park Service has given considerable study to the

development of this national monument and I am advised that plans

can be put into effect regarding it as soon as congressional approval

is obtained.

The monument will mark the spot where one of the truly significant events in American history took place—the driving of the golden

spike that joined the transcontinental railroad. This occurred almost

100 years ago, on May 10, 1869.

The citizens of Utah are already making plans for the centennial

celebration of this event. It would be most appropriate if Congress

would act now on the establishment of the monument, thus allowing

sufficient time for construction of necessary facilities for use by the

1969 centennial.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the courtesy of allowing me to appear.

I have committee business on the other side, and if you could excuse

me without prejudice, I would be very grateful.

Senator BIBLE. We would be glad to excuse you without prejudice.

We are delighted that you are here this morning. I am glad to hear

that everybody is unified on this proposal and that we have no

problems.

Mr. BURTON. This is an unusual situation.

Senator BIBLE. I have heard of proposals where it was not always

thus, so in this instance, I am delighted to hear it, and I understand

your very heavy commitments, and you certainly are excused.

Thank you.

Mr. BURTON. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Senator BIBLE. We have as our next witnesses Senator Bennett

and Governor Rampton. They obviously are not present now, so we

will proceed to hear from the Director of the National Park Service,

and knowing also their heavy commitments, Mr. Director, whenever

they come, we will feel at liberty to interrupt you and put them on

in order to ace,omodate them.
10 GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

STATEMENT OF GEORGE B. HARTZOG, JR., DIRECTOR, NATIONAL

PARK SERVICE

Mr. HARTZOG. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, it is a pleasure to appear as the departmental witness in support of the bill, S. 26, to authorize the establishment of the Golden Spike National Monument in the State of Utah, com- memorating the completion of the first U.S. transcontinental rail- road. We have a prepared statement.

Senator BIBLE. You may proceed.

Mr. HARTZOG. Thank you very- much, sir.

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, the Department of the Interior recommends enactment of S. 26, a bill to authorize estab- lishment of the Golden Spike National Monument in the State of Utah, commemorating the completion of the United States first transcontinental railroad.

The Department recommends certain amendments which we believe will enable the National Park Service to best carry out the purposes

of this legislation. One of these amendments would substitute the

name "Golden Spike National Historic Site" for the bill's "National

Monument" label. We feel that the area's historical significance

would be better emphasized by this designation. This and the other proposed amendments are explained in the Department's report to the chairman of the full committee.

Establishment of the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Federal ownership would bring well deserved national recognition to the highly significant events culminating on May 10, 1869, when the two legs of the transcontinental rail system were joined at Promontory Summit in Utah.

This was the first time any continent had been spanned by railroad tracks.

Every schoolchild has heard the story of the railroad's race to complete the coast-to-coast rail network and of the vital role it played in opening and developing the West. Although transcontinental rail- roads had been proposed as early as the 1830's, it was not until President Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 that the

necessary impetus was supplied by Federal subsidies.

The Union Pacific Co., formed under terms of this law, started laying rails westward from Omaha, utilizing a labor force which eventually totaled some 12,000 men, mostly Irish immigrants. Similarly Central Pacific began its eastbound leg in Sacramento, utilizing

some 11,000 imported Chinese workers.

The joining of these two legs meant attainment of a long-sought

goal. Now the railroads had a direct link with the Pacific coast and

the China trade; the extremities of the continental United States

were bound together by iron rails.

These tracks across Promontory Summit were part of a principal

east-west railroad artery until 1903, when the Lucm Cutoff was completed across an arm of Great Salt Lake, shortening the route and eliminating steep grades. In 1940, use of the golden spike route

around the lake's north end was discontinued. Two years later the

rails were removed for wartime scrap iron.

The heart of the proposed Golden Spike National Historic Site, .a

7-acre tract in non-Federal ownership, is now operated under that
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 11

same name by the Golden Spike Association of Box Elder County.

It was so designated by the Secretary of the Interior in 1957 and is

operated pursuant to a cooperative agreement between the United

States, the State of Utah, and the aforementioned association, the

Southern Pacific Co., and the Central Pacific Railroad Co.

Establishment of the Golden Spike National Historic Site will allow

the National Park Service to preserve and to partially restore this

significant area and to employ its skill in interpretmg the railroad story

and showing the social, political, and economic results of this great

transportation advance.

The Department of the Interior would acquire, through purchase

and exchange, approximately 2,176 acres, a strip 15% miles long which

was the railroad's right-of-way. The strip is generally 400 feet wide,

although at the Golden Spike Monument and certain other locations,

wider areas would be required for a visitor center, wayside exhibits,

access roads, overlooks, parking, utilities, and other necessary facilities.

Of the land involved, 634 acres are in State ownership and we anticipate that this can be acquired through exchange. We estimate that

the balance, 1,542 acres in private ownership, can be purchased for

about $118,000.

The overall cost of developments planned will be $1,050,000 while

operations and maintenance will come to approximately $80,000 per

year.

The area is some 90 miles from Salt Lake City. Motor vehicle

access will be excellent, with a major north-south highway, interstate

15, passing nearby to the east and east-west interstate 80 to the north.

We estimate that 107,000 persons will visit the area in the fifth year

after authorization.

We believe the Golden Spike National Historic Site will be an

extremely worthwhile addition to the national park system. It

constitutes a splendid opportunity to depict the vital relationship of

railroads to our Nation's tremendous growth and prosperity and to

the uniting of the United States.

We therefore urge the committee to take favorable action on S. 26,

with the recommended amendments.

The Golden Spike National Site, in summary, was established on 7

acres of land, and is now administered under a cooperative agreement.

We have here some vicinity maps to show the general location of this

area, being about 25 miles from Corinne, Utah, and about 90 miles

north of Salt Lake City.

It is going to be very close to the Interstate Highway 80.

The statement of the operating and development costs have already

been submitted to the committee.

If there are any questions, we will be pleased to answer them.

Senator BIBLE. Thank you. Back up a little. The operating and

development costs have been supplied to the committee as a part of

your official report?

Mr. HARTZOG. That is right, sir.

Senator BIBLE. Well, what did they say? I am always kind of

interested in the costs.

Mr. HARTZOG. I would be happy to explain the figures. There are

634 acres of State land, and 1,542 acres of private land, for a total of

2,176 acres. We estimate private land costs at $118,000.
12 GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

In this connection

'

a portion of this land is owned by the Southern

Pacific Co., which has tendered us a deed for the right-of-way area

that it owns.

Because of clouds on the title, we believe that additional costs may

be involved in the removal of these clouds through eminent domain

proceedings and, therefore, we have included the holdings of the Southern Pacific in this 1,542-acre figure. This is a location map showing

the configuration of the area, and this bottom half is an extension

eastward.

Senator BIBLE. Now what is the total extent of the land that you

intend to acquire?

Is that in green?

Mr. HARTZOG. Yes, sir; that is in green and in purple, sir. This

purple is the State land, and the State has indicated that is agreeable

to exchanging this for other federally owned land in the State of

Utah, and authority is so provided in this bill as we proposed to

amend it.

Senator BIBLE. Why do you need 2,176 acres for a historic site?

Mr. HARTZOG. Sir, this entire area is about 153(2 miles long, and it

represents a very interesting part of American history. I brought

along this publication, American Heritage, and, with the permission

of the chairman, I would like to read the introduction to it.

Historians are agreed that the most dramatic and at the same time the most

significant single date in the record of the American West was May 10, 1869,

when the rails of the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroads met and

were joined at Promontory Point, a desolate spot in the Utah desert about 40

miles northwest of Ogden.

These two railroads, one beginning in Omaha and the other beginning in Sacramento, started building transcontinental lines as authorized by the Railroad Act of 1862. They passed each other here.

Rather than meeting, they went by each other until finally the Federal Government rejected this and required that they join their lines

at the site that has now been recognized as Promontory Summit,

on this right-of-way. All of the cuts and fills, evidencing this competition between these two lines, still remains on the terrain. This

is hilly country, through this large area here, and affords the best

opportunity for a high-ground interpretation of the passing of these

two lines. In addition, there is now in operation, and being seen

from this high ground, the present-day railroad. We believe that it

is necessary to acquire enough land to spread out in this particularly

historic area for roadside interpretation and an overview of this

whole terrain, as well as the operating railroad.

This is why it is spread out in this particular location.

Senator BIBLE. Where did they actually drive the golden spike?

Mr. HARTZOG. At Promontory Summit, sir.

In other words, each of them had to come back a little way, and

join their lines there.

Senator BIBLE. What is your estimated cost for the acquisition

of the land?

Mr. HARTZOG. $118,000, sir.

Senator BIBLE. And then what do you propose to expend in the

way of development and for what? 'Sketch out what you plan to

have on the national historic site.
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 13

Mr. HARTZOG. Sir, we propose to have a main visitor center headquarters area at Promontory Summit. There will be a limited number

of housing accornmodati )ns for the staff, as well as the utility area,

for maintenance of roads and trails. There will be wayside interpretive point at these two large orange areas on the map. There

will also be access roads into these observation points from the main

highway that crosses the area.

We have under consideration an interpretive plan for either trails

or some one-way motor nature roads along the big trestle and big

fill area, for the purpose of interpretation.

This is about the extent of the physical developments in the area.

Our program contemplates $1,050,000, which would give us some

on-site replicas of the locomotives and tenders, and other railroad

equipment that was in existence at that time. We are very hopeful

that donations of this equipment may be possible.

However, we have included the cost in this figure so that you may

have the total picture of what we contemplate.

Senator BIBLE I see you have figured this down pretty fine this

time. You have got it down to $1,050,000.

Mr. HARTZOG. Sir, we are trying all the time to improve these

figures.

Senator BIBLE. Well, I hope you are getting closer to them than you

do on some of them.

Mr. HARTZOG. We are trying.

Senator BIBLE. I know you are trying. But the main part of your

development consists of the construction of your interpretive center;

is that correct?

Mr. HARTZOG. Yes, sir.

Senator BIBLE. I suppose that is the main expense item?

Mr. HARTZOG. That and the roads off of the main highway down to

this area.

Senator BIBLE. And this amount of money would be expended over

a period of 5 years or 3 years? What is your projection in that?

Mr. HARTZOG. 1\,To, sir; part of it would extend beyond the 5-year

period. We estimate that probably the $882,000 of it would be in

the first 5 years. What we are anxious to do, if the Congress enacts

this legislation, would be to get this area ready for interpretation at

the centennial of the joining of these railroads, May 10, in 1969.

Senator BIBLE. And that really is your target date, to have it

completed and operational by 1969?

Mr. HARTZOG. Yes, sir. The other $200,000, or less than $200,000,

we estimate some time would'be used beyond that period, perhaps to

build visitor trails and that kind of thing.

Senator BIBLE. Your annual operations and maintenance cost is

$80,000?

Mr. HARTZOG. $80,000, sir.

Senator BIBLE. And how do you justify that item?

Mr. HARTZOG. Sir, that is broken down approximately $61,000 for

management and protection—this would be administrative, interpreters, and protection personnel—and about $18,000 for maintenance

and rehabilitation of roads and trails.

Staffing would involve at the end of the fifth year 9.8 man-years of

employment. This would be nine man-years of permanent employ-
14 GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

ment, and eight-tenths of a man-year of seasonal employment during

the height of the visitor season.

Senator BIBLE. Would the site be open year around? ,

Mr. HARTZOG. Yes, sir; it would be. It is only 25 miles off of new

Interstate 88.

Senator BIBLE. Yes; I understand.

Mr. HARTZOG. SO it is going to be highly accessible.

Senator BIBLE. Well, this certainly is one of the great historical

events of the building of the West and I certainly think it is completely

justified. It should be preserved for the viewers that come after us.

I have no further questions, Mr. Hartzog.

Senator Moss. May I ask just one or two questions to perhaps make

the record?

First of all, I express my appreciation to Director Hartzog and his

staff for the very fine job they have done in getting ready to make this

presentation and the strong recommendation for the project.

In the official report of the Department it is recommended that the

designation be changed from a monument as provided in S. 26, to a

national historic site. I would like, for the record, to ask Mr. Hartzog,

is there any difference in policy as far as acquisition, maintenance, or

operation is concerned, between a national monument and a national

historic site?

Mr. HARTZOG. No, sir; there is not. The primary differentiation

is that the national monuments that have been established under the

Antiquities Act of 1906, both by executive action and by congressional

action, generally relate to areas that have scenic or scientific values;

whereas, areas established by executive and legislative action having

primarily historical significance, as does this area, are established

and administered under the authority of the act of 1935 as historic

sites. So it is simply a matter of trying to keep the areas in the proper

categories.

Senator Moss. So that what you are saying is the only difference

here would be to more clearly describe what this area would be?

Mr. HARTZOG. That is right, sir.

Senator Moss. And there would be no difference in maintenance

or exhibitions of what is to be seen there?

Mr. HARTZOG. No, sir. There would be the same quality, same

standard of service, same development standards. It will come

under the historical category of areas of the national park system and

will have the same standard as Gettysburg or any of the rest of the

historical areas.

Senator Moss. Thank you, Mr. Hartzog.

Senator BIBLE. Any further questions?

Senator Moss. No, sir.

Senator BIBLE. Thank you very, very much, Mr. Director, and I

compliment you for your presentation here this morning.

The next witness will be the senior Senator from the State of Utah,

the Honorable Wallace F. Bennett.

STATEMENT OF HON. WALLACE F. BENNETT, A U.S. SENATOR

FROM THE STATE OF UTAH

Senator BENNETT. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to

appear, and I am sorry I could not be here at 9 o'clock. I am grateful

for your patience.
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 15

I have a statement that I should like to offer complete for the

record.

Senator BIBLE. You may proceed, Senator.

Senator BENNETT. Mr. Chairman, I am very happy to appear

today before the Interior Committee in full support of a bill establishing the Golden Spike National Monument. I have had the privilege

of introducing three Golden Spike Monument bills—one each in the

87th, 88th, and 89th Congresses. This year my colleague, Senator

Moss, also has chosen to introduce a Golden Spike National Monument

bill and since his proposal is very similar to mine and since I do not

have any pride of authorship I am willing to support his bill as well.

Mr. Chairman, my main interest is in getting legislation approved

so that the Golden Spike National Monument will become a reality

in time for the centennial celebration in 1969.

The National Park Service has assured me that it has plans by which

a complete national monument unit could be available by 1969 to

accommodate visitors to the pending centennial celebration. These

plans include roads, visitor center, museum pieces, vintage trains, etc.

In addition, the possible use of old-time trains running along the

original track bed and other such items also are in the advanced

planning stages.

Land acquisition, development programs, and operating costs are

also ready. In other words, the National Park Service is ready for

the creation of a national monument. Congress need but give its

approval and the plans could be put into action immediately.

History.—The driving of the golden spike linking the East and

West by railroad took place at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill which created and financed

the great Union Pacific Railroad and authorized construction of a

railroad and telegraph line from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to the West.

The Central Pacific, now the Southern Pacific, was also created

and financed and began building eastward from Sacramento. The

railroad, estimated to take 12 years to build, was finished in 6%

years as the result of one of the greatest building races in history.

Both companies were spurred on by the rich land grants and bonds

that came with each mile completed on the road.

This transcontinental railroad was all built by hand at a cost of

$180 million. As the Government set a meeting point at Promontory

Summit, on April 28, 1869, a world's record of 10 miles of track laid

in one single day was set by the Central Pacific's Chinese and white

crews. This was their crowning achievement in the race eastward,

and to this day the record remains unbroken. On May 10, 1869,

Gov. Leland Stanford of California drove the golden spike which

united the two halves of the first transcontinental railway.

Golden Spike National Historic Site.—Official recognition of this

historic event did not come until 1957 when about 7 acres of land

in non-Federal ownership at Promontory Summit was designated

as a national historic site. The Golden Spike Association of Box

Elder County, Utah, and the State of Utah, pursuant to a cooperative

agreement entered into with the Department of the Interior, administer this site which includes a part of the old railroad right-of-way

and the place where the golden spike was driven.

Park Service studies.—I asked the National Park Service in 1960

to make a survey of the area to see whether the site would be suitable
16 GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

for inclusion within the National Park Service. In September 1960

the Park Service Advisory Board recommended that the present

national historic site be enlarged to include the adjacent stretches of

the original.right-of-way, roadbeds, and related features, including

the impressive physical remains of the original cuts, fills, and the

trestle sites of the 1869 period, and such additional lands as might be

necessary for the preservation, interpretation, and public use of the

site. They further recommended that such lands and features be

acquired by the United States.

My bill is based upon the recommendations of the Park Service

after further studies to determine what lands and features should be

included. The proposed area consists of about 634 acres owned by

the State of Utah and about 1,542 acres of private land.

The Southern Pacific Railroad has provided the Park Service with

the deed to the railroad right-of-way but it was not accepted because

the Attorney General's office raised objections since it does not clearly

convey title. The Southern Pacific owned the odd numbered sections.

However, they sold off sections and retained only the right to build a

railroad (floating easement) not necessarily on the same land. The

even sections were public domain and were sold with no mention made

of a possible railroad.

Therefore, the railroad lands will be considered private lands and

will be purchased like the rest. The Park Service is glad to have the

quitclaim deed and to clear the record they will be glad to accept it;

however, it will increase the cost of land acquisition by about $20,000.

This would bring the total cost of land acquisition to about $118,000.

The development program would cost $1,050,000 and the annual

operating costs would be about $80,000.

Deserves national monument status.—I feel that national monument

status, rather than the lesser status of a historic site, is fully merited.

The driving of that historic golden spike marked the completion of

the transcontinental railroad and the unification of the Nation by

rail. This event is one of the most important in U.S. history. National monument status is in keeping with the request made by the

local people and it is based on the thought that greater development

and status would be given if the site is made a national monument.

Last May, Interior Secretary Stewart L. Udall informed the Interior

Committees in the Senate and House that he intended to designate

2,176 acres of land in Box Elder County as a new national histmic

site. However, because the great bulk of the acreage involved is

owned by the State of Utah and private landowners, it would be inappropriate to designate the area by Executive order. Legislation is

required to permit the Federal Government to buy the land.

With the centennial celebration of the driving of the golden spike

scheduled for May 10, 1969, it is vital that the area be designated now

as a national monument so that the Park Service can have the site in

suitable condition.

Again, I appreciate the opportunity of appearing in behalf of the

Golden Spike National Monument.

Thank you.

I would just like to stress the point that in the years since this great

event, much of the land in the area has passed into private ownership.

Some of it is owned by the State of Utah. So under the circumstances, if we are going to have an expansion of this national historic
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 17

site, or make it a national monument, it is probably necessary that

Congress act, so that it can provide the funds to acquire the needed

private or State land, and it would be a little difficult to handle this

entirely by Executive order.

The Southern Pacific has tried to convey the old right-of-way, but

there have been questions of title so that the Federal Government has

not been able to accept that without some problems, and under all

the circumstances, I think it wise for Congress to act, and I hope it

will act in time, so that much of the preparation of this area for public

use, full public use, can be completed before May 10, 1969, which will

be the centennial.

Senator BIBLE. I certainly would share that hope, too. I believe

this is worthy of preservation, and I think it is a modest amount of

money that is being requested. The development program goes over

5 years, so I would see no reason why this should not move along.

Senator BENNETT. Actually, we have already made the initial

decision.

Senator BIBLE. Correct.

Senator BENNETT. With respect to the importance of the site:

It is just a question, now, of how much it should be expanded, and

what other interesting features not at the point of the golden spike

should be included.

Senator BIBLE. Correct. This is a matter of interpretation. and

I suppose the Park Service people are as well schooled in this area

as anybody in the Government, and maybe in private life, so I think

it is a very commendable project, and I see no reason why it should

not move on very quickly.

Senator Moss. May I point out, Mr. Chairman, that the Legislature of the State of Utah created the centennial commission just

this year, and the Governor has now appointed the members of

that commission, which will begin to function on the 1st of June,

I think it is, or July.

Anyway, they began to function this year, so this would be the

proper timing, if we can get this legislation approved, to have the State

and Federal Government working in concert.

Senator BIBLE. Yes, sir. Anything further, Senator Bennett?

Senator BENNETT. Just an invitation to the members of the committee to come out in 1969 and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Senator BIBLE. Thank you, by gosh, that is optimistic. I have an

election between now and 1969.

Senator BENNETT. So have I.

Senator BIBLE. This is fine. I hope we participate as Senators.

I think this completes all of our witnesses at this time, and we will

stand in recess. We will check with the Appropriations Committee

to see the availability of Governor Rampton, who wanted to appear

here before us. I do have a few matters I want to talk over with Mr.

Hartzog on other park proposals, some that have knotty problems in

them and so we will stand in recess for 10 minutes.

(A short recess was taken.)

Senator BIBLE. The hearing will resume.

We are delighted to have with us this morning the Governor of

Utah, the Honorable Calvin L. Rampton.

It is a great source of personal pride to welcome you to this committee, Governor, because our relationship goes back to the days
18 GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

when we served in attorney general capacities, you in Utah and I in

Nevada, so it is a pleasant renewal of an old acquaintanceship. We

are delighted to have you here as a witness on the Golden Spike

Monument proposal that is before us.

STATEMENT OF HON. CALVIN L. RAMPTON, GOVERNOR, STATE

OF UTAH

Governor RAMPTON. Senator Bible, I am very grateful to you for

recessing the hearing. I was down in the Appropriations Committee

hearing. Senator Moss arranged my schedule, and I don't move as

fast as you people do in Washington, I guess.

I was just unable to get here on time.

I appreciate the opportunity to come here and speak in support of

the bill to create the Golden Spike National Monument. This is

going to be, I am sure, if the monument is created, a joint effort on

behalf of the U.S. Government and the State of Utah.

The last Utah Legislature created a commission known as the

Golden Spike Centennial Commission, and provided a token appropriation to begin the planning for this event.

I appointed the committee some 2 weeks ago, and they had their

first meeting on May 10, which was the golden spike anniversary.

As you are aware, the centennial will be on May 10, 1969, and we

intend to have this a major exposition in the State of Utah.

It will be a major transportation exposition, which will exceed in

scope by a considerable amount even our "This Is the Place" centennial

in 1947.

We are not quite sure yet just how extensive the plans will be, but I

hope the Commission will have a definite preliminary plan ready to

present to a special session of the Utah Legislature, which I hope to

call in January of 1966. At that time I am going to ask for additional

planning funds from the State, and an essential part of our plan will

be the creation of this monument, and if this bill which we are considering here today can be approved and passed by that time it is

going to be a great step forward for us in our planning.

In the event we were uncertain, in January, about the status of this

national monument bill, it would cause me considerable trouble in

planning from then on, and it would help me out a great deal in making

recommendations to the legislature if I could know just where I stood

well in advance of the January session of the legislature.

I feel that this is essential. The planning of the State, the appropriations of the State, and the execution of these plans and the

creation of this centennial exposition will dovetail very well with the

bill being considered, and we would appreciate favorable consideration

and prompt consideration.

Senator BIBLE. Well, thank you very, very much, Governor

Rampton. I want to assure you, and I made the statement just a

little earlier, that I certainly am convinced that this is one of the

great historic monuments of the building of the West and should be

preserved. I think it is completely justifiable to create a Golden

Spike National Historic Site, or Golden Spike Monument, or whatever

it might properly be called, and the Park Service has indicated that

they prefer the name Golden Spike National Historic Site.
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 19

Governor HAMPTON. Well, I have looked at the proposed amendments, and so far as I can see, they are perfectly all right with us.

Senator BIBLE. It certainly would be just as attractive a site to

visit, whatever its name might be, and we have been alerted that you

are planning your centennial celebration on May 10, 1969.

I compliment you for the appointment of your committee to start

things going in that direction, and as chairman, you can rest assured

that we will try to get this out of subcommittee very quickly, and

from subcommittee to full committee, and get the authorizing legislation over on the House side.

I believe that I have been told that the House is going to have

some hearings on this very same proposal early in June, so that being

true, I can't see any reason at all why the authorizing bill, the bill

before us, should not be enacted into law in the very, very near future.

This sets the framework, or the cornerstone, for obtaining the

appropriations to go forward.

Governor Rampton. Thank you.

Senator BIBLE. Senator Moss?

Senator Moss. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I am most happy that the Governor could be here to express the

point of view of the State, and to tell the subcommittee the planning

that is already going on in Utah, looking toward the centennial, and

I do appreciate the promptness of the chairman in setting the hearing

and accelerating this bill.

As the Governor indicated, we see no objection to the proposed

amendment changing the title to national historic site rather than

national monument as set forth in the bill. Mr. Hartzog, in his

testimony, made it perfectly clear that the management would be

exactly the same, whatever the title happens to be of this site.

This is a colorful chapter in the history of America. It is no time

to fill up the record with it, but there is one interesting thing. Mr.

Hartzog talked about these two rights-of-way coming and passing

one another. The railroads kept on building, rather than come

together, and this was because of the rewards they were getting for

every mile of track laid down.

Another colorful thing is that the road coming from the east was

built almost entirely by gangs of Irishmen who were brought in here

as laborers, and they built the road going westward, whereas the

labor gangs building the road coming from the west to the east were

Chinese, who were brought in as laborers in much the same way, and

when these two elements met some very interesting events occurred

around the promontory there, and all of this is certainly one of the

great, colorful, human chapters of the building of America.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Senator BIBLE. I know it is, and do we have further witnesses?

The committee has uniformly followed a policy of putting a limitation on acquisition costs, and I know the sponsor of the bill has no

objection to that.

More recently, the House side has been putting on limitations as

far as development costs are concerned, and very recently we have

accepted amendments on the Nez Perce bill, and one other bill, the

Agate Fossil bill, and we probably will follow that pattern in subcommittee, but I don't see why there should be any objection to that.

We simply hold to the figures as given to us by the Department.

,1111111111MIL
20 GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT

I will include at this point a statement of the historical significance

of the site.

(The document referred to follows:)

STATEMENT ON THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GOLDEN SPIKE SITE,

PROMONTORY SUMMIT, UTAH

(Prepared by Roy E. Appleman)

Promontory Summit, Utah, is the place where the Union Pacific and the

Central Pacific Railroads met and thereby completed the first transcontinental

railroad in the United States. It was the first railroad in the world to span any continent. The event took place on May 10, 1869.

Many proposals for a transcontinental railroad had been promoted, beginning

in the 1830's. It was not until the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862, signed by Presi- dent Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, however, that the project received

Federal status with U.S. Government aid assured. Two railroad companies

formed under the terms of the law received large Federal land grants to assist them in financing construction. The Union Pacific, starting at Omaha, Nebr.,

and building west, and the Central Pacific, starting at Sacramento, Calif., and building east were the two railroads concerned. The vast project cost more than $180 million in terms of the money of that day, and involved between 25,000

and 30,000 men working at construction with heavy loss of life during the work.

The Union Pacific building from the east employed, principally, recent Irish

immigrants for laborers, using altogether, about 12,000 of them. The Central

Pacific imported Chinese from Asia as its principal labor force and had, altogether,

about 18,000 of them.

On May 10, 1869, a great celebration, participated in by communities from

coast to coast and symbolizing the joining of the two tracks for the completion

of the transcontinental railroad took place at the point of juncture at Promontory

Summit, Utah. The principal event was carried telegraphically to all parts of

the country. This was the driving of a last golden spike into the final tie linking

the two tracks. At 12:47 p.m., the telegraph at the site sent out the message,

"The last rail is laid, the spike is driven. The Pacific Railroad is completed."

This final ceremonical act symbolized the attainment of a long-sought goal—

a direct transportation route to the Pacific Ocean and the China trade. It also

achieved the great political objective of binding together by iron bonds the

extremities of continental United States; it forged a rail link from ocean to ocean.

Establishment of the proposed national historic site will permit interpreting the

railroad story associated with the linking of the east and west coasts by rail,

and show the social, political, and economic results of this great transportation

advance.

The transcontinental railroad track swung around the north side of the Great

Salt Lake by crossing the Promontory Range of Mountains which formed a long

finger of land extending southward into the lake. Promontory Summit, the pass

across the range, lies about 56 miles northwest of Ogden, Utah. The main track

crossed Promontory Summit on the original right-of-way until 1903 when the

Lucin Cutoff was built to cross an arm of Great Salt Lake, shortening the route

and eliminating the steep grade climbing the east slope of the Promontory Range.

In 1940, the original Golden Spike route around the north end of Great Salt Lake

was abandoned to rail traffic, and 2 years later in 1942, the rails were removed

for scrap iron purposes during World War II.

The area recommended for inclusion in the Golden Spike National Historic Site

consists primarily of several miles of the original right-of-way of the first transcontinental railroad. Both the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroad

Co.'s built grades and track in 1869 in this area. Both are presently owned by

the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. The proposed area is essentially an elongated,

ribbonlike strip of land. A limited amount of State owned and privately owned

land will be needed for bulges and widenings beyond the right-of-way where entrance, visitor service, facilities, and protection of physical remains of the original

railroad construction are required. The right-of-way of the historic railroad

grade is 400 feet wide.

The length of historic railroad right-of-way proposed for historical preservation

of both the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads, which parallel each other

in close proximity across the Promontory Range, being sometimes only a few feet

apart and crossing each other at other points, includes impressive physical remains

of the original 1869 construction. Among these features are the Blue Creek cross-
GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL MONUMENT 21

ing at the eastern base of the Promontory Range and the steep ascent of the

eastern slope of the range. On this climb there are the big fill of the Central

Pacific and the big trestle and Carmichael's and Clark's cuts of the Union Pacific.

The climb up the eastern slope of the range from Blue Creek Crossing to the semilevel crest of the pass between the North and South Promontory Ranges is about

9 miles. There the line ran for about 1 mile through the pass on a nearly level

grade. Then it began the descent of the western slope of the range which is much

less steep than the eastern face. Once down this slope the track curved south

around the northern tip of Great Salt Lake. A relatively short stretch of the

original grade on the western slope would be included.

On this western face of the Promontory Range, a track-laying record of 10 miles

of track for 1 day was put down on April 28, 1869, by the Central Pacific crews.

This record apparently has never been equaled anywhere in the world in the history

of railroad building. A small section of this 10-mile record course, about

to 2 miles of it, is proposed for inclusion in the national historic site.

From both the eastern and western slopes of the Promontory Range along

the original grade of this first transcontinental railroad the great Salt Lake can

be seen, and also fine views of the majestic Wasatch Range to the east as well as

the rugged mountain scenery close at hand.

The terrain scene where the first transcontinental railroad was completed

across the Promontory Range, fortunately, remains just about as it was nearly

a century ago when the first track there was Aid, and the original constructure

features have survived. There is tremendous public interest in this site and it

is mentioned in every schoolbook in the history of our country. It is one of the

preeminent historic sites in our land and the Congress should take the necessary

steps to assure its preservation.

Senator BIBLE. If there is nothing further, the subcommittee stands

in adjournment.

(Whereupon, at 9:55 a.m., the subcommittee adjourned, subject to

call.)