Acquired by the Museum, the spike is a near-identical twin to well-known American Railroading Icon

Until recently, very few people (historians included) were aware of a "lost" golden spike that was cast as part of the original order for the gold "Last Spike" of Transcontinental Railroad fame. In early September 2006, this fabled "Lost Spike" went on permanent display at the California State Railroad Museum.

On May 10, 1869, the Last Spike of the Transcontinental Railroad was ceremonially driven into a polished California Laurel railroad crosstie at Promontory, Utah. Presented by David Hewes who would later become brother-in-law to Central Pacific Railroad President and former California Governor Leland Stanford this symbolic final spike captured America's popular imagination. Never before in American history had such a simple object won universal recognition as a national icon.

Cast by renowned San Francisco bell foundry W. T. Garrett & Co. in 1869, the Last Spike and an identical twin were given finishing touches by the firm of Schulz, Fischer and Mohrig. The original Schulz invoice of May 4, 1869, survives in the archives of Stanford University. It itemizes "Finishing 2 Gold Spikes, Engraving 381 letters at 4 Cts," and "1 Velvet Box." One of these spikes then traveled to Promontory, Utah, in the care of Leland Stanford. Returned to its donor after the ceremonies, the Last Spike was presented to Leland Stanford Jr. University in 1892 by David Hewes, along with his considerable art collection.

This, the Last Spike, remains at Stanford today. It has traveled offsite for very special occasions, including visits to the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento.

However, the "other" golden spike was quietly held for 136 years by the Hewes family and descendants. Historians had assumed that the "2 Gold Spikes" referenced in the Schulz, Fischer and Mohrig invoice were really just one (the inconsistency being explained away by the "sprue," excess metal attached to the spike casting that was in the case of the Last Spike broken off and melted down into commemorative rings and tiny spike keepsakes).

In spring 2005, fifth-generation descendants of David Hewes decided to place the Hewes Family Lost Spike and other items on consignment with a Southern California dealer. The California State Railroad Museum was tipped off by colleagues from the Smithsonian Institution, and research, discussions, and intense negotiations ensued. The Lost Spike complete with its distinguishing casting sprue still attached was acquired by the Museum in November 2005. It went on permanent exhibition at the Museum starting in fall 2006.

The Lost Spike, truly an American icon, remains today on permanent display at the Museum in Old Sacramento. It is exhibited adjacent to Thomas Hill's epic oil-on canvas painting, "The Last Spike." Here's a great way to Discover Gold in Sacramento - visit the California State Railroad Museum at Old Sacramento State Historic Park today!