One of the most misquoted historical "facts" is that the Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory Point in Utah. Apparently, the misattribution goes all the way back to a news report filed on the historic day, May 10, 1869.
However, it is not true. The Transcontinental Railroad was not completed at Promontory Point. The Golden Spike, which marked the completion of the railroad which changed America, was hammered into the ground at Promontory Summit.
Promontory Point is the little point at the end of the peninsula which juts out into the Great Salt Lake, some thirty miles south of Promontory Summit. The mountains on the peninsula are the Promontory Range, and the pass through them is known as Promontory Summit.
Don't believe me? Check the FAQ page maintained by the National Park Service for the Golden Spike
National Historic Park:
https://www.nps.gov/gosp/faqs.htm
©2022, 2023 Dan Stober
Created 2022-06-05
Last updated 2023-09-26