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| Landmark #358 | Salt Lake County | Visited: April 1, 2020 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque at the north end of the Gateway Shopping Center! |
| What makes it historical? | THE PLAQUE SAYS: As western settlement increased, the need for an overland railroad was voiced by various groups, including Utah pioneers who petitioned Congress, Mar. 1852. The Enabling Act of 1862 authorized construction. First rails laid by Central Pacific in Sacramento, Cal. Oct. 26, 1863; by Union Pacific near Omaha, Neb. July 10, 1865. Strong and determined men hewed the iron road to complete a gigantic task that ended with driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory, Utah, May 10, 1869. In lieu of cash settlement on his contract, Brigham Young accepted as partial payment from Union Pacific $600,000 in iron and rolling stock, with which Utah Central Railroad was built, Ogden to Salt Lake City, and dedicated Jan. 10, 1870.
OTHER TIDBITS: The reason Brigham Young got so much money in stock was that the Transcontinental Railroad had completely bypassed Salt Lake City! To ensure that his favorite city didn’t get completely left behind, Mr. Young ordered the construction of the Utah Central Railroad, which stretched from Salt Lake City to Ogden and gave the former a bigger piece of the economic pie! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| How do I find it? | Listed Directions: South Temple & 400 W Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Annotations: From Beaver: ~199mi (321km) — 3.4hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |