Historic Golden Spike on Display in Anchorage

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A historic solid gold railroad spike is now on display at the Anchorage Museum. The golden spike was used by President Warren Harding in a ceremony on July 15, 1923, in the City of Nenana, marking the completion of the Alaska Railroad.

The city of Anchorage had the spike made by the Mayer Brother Jewelers in Seattle as a “thank you” gift to Col. Frederick Mears, an engineer on the construction of the Alaska Railroad from 1915 to 1923. Since its creation, the spike remained privately owned until it came up for auction this past January.

To successfully bring this piece of Alaska history home, the Anchorage Museum partnered with the city of Nenana. With support from the Alaska Railroad and a group of private donors, they raised enough funds to win the auction. Including additional fees, the winning bid totaled approximately $200,000.

Now back in Alaska, the spike will be displayed in two locations, alternating between Nenana in the summers and Anchorage in the winters.

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