Rail Days kicks off with first-ever Golden Spike Ceremony and mayoral proclamation

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - For the first time in the history of Rail Days, the annual celebration officially began with a Historic Golden Spike Ceremony and the event’s first-ever mayoral proclamation.

North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher proclaimed the start of Rail Days, recognizing the community’s connection to the railroad industry. Following the proclamation, local leaders and community dignitaries took part in the inaugural ceremonial Driving of the Golden Spike.

Ceremony honors transcontinental railroad history

The tradition pays tribute to the completion of America’s first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, when a ceremonial 17.6-karat gold spike was driven at Promontory Summit in the Utah Territory to symbolize the joining of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads.

Community leaders reflect on railroad’s role in North Platte

State Sen. Mike Jacobson of District 42 said the railroad remains central to the city’s identity.

“I’m so happy that we are doing this,” said Jacobson. “I think Jim Griffin, who of course manages the Historical Museum, has done an outstanding job of helping keep our history. The railroad really is our history and I remember when Julie and I first moved here, a little over 30 years ago, it was interesting, about a third of the families here in North Platte were affiliated, either worked for currently or retirees from the railroad.”

Jim Griffin, director and curator of the Lincoln County Historical Museum, said the railroad’s influence on North Platte dates to the city’s founding.

“To begin with, they’re the ones that founded the town,” said Griffin. “It was laid out in 1866 by Grenville Dodge, who was the Chief Engineer, and so a lot of the basis behind our existence has to do with the railroad. So the history of it and this community has a long stretch in providing not just jobs but the development of industry and also businesses in this area.”

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