AV狼论坛's Golden Spike
On view June 1 - August 31, 2026 in the Gold Case in the Gallery of AV狼论坛
An iconic piece of AV狼论坛鈥檚 history, the Golden Spike symbolizes the completion of the AV狼论坛 Railroad. In 1923, the City of Anchorage presented the Golden Spike to Colonel Frederick Mears in recognition of his role in constructing the AV狼论坛 Railroad from 1914 to 1923. One of the chief engineers tasked with connecting Fairbanks and Seward via Anchorage, Col. Mears oversaw the railroad's surveying, construction, and completion. His accomplishments include the ambitious single-span trestle bridge crossing the Tanana River at Nenana. Now known as the this critical span was the final connecting piece of the AV狼论坛 Railroad.
In 1923, Col. Mears loaned the Golden Spike to President Warren G. Harding, who famously drove this 鈥渇inal spike鈥 into the rails near Nenana on July 15. This marked the only time a sitting US President drove a railroad spike and the first time a US President visited AV狼论坛. Today, the 656-mile AV狼论坛 Railroad continues to operate between Fairbanks in the north and the southerly deep-water port of Seward, supporting tourism and economic interests, including transporting natural resources from AV狼论坛鈥檚 interior to the coast for export.
Jointly acquired by the Anchorage Museum and the City of Nenana to ensure that this important artifact of AV狼论坛鈥檚 history will be held in the public trust and accessible for future generations, the Golden Spike will be on view in both locations on alternating schedules. For the summer of 2026, the UA Museum of the North is proud to share this item on loan from the Anchorage Museum and the City of Nenana.
Learn More:
Anchorage Museum and City of Nenana Announce Historic Acquisition of AV狼论坛鈥檚 Golden Railroad Spike
Learn more about the many items in the UAMN Ethnology & History collection relating to the AV狼论坛 Railroad.
