Utah woman celebrated on 145th anniversary of 'golden spike'

Utah woman celebrated on 145th anniversary of 'golden spike'

(Lori Nawyn)


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SALT LAKE CITY — From the time she sailed the ocean at the age of 1 year old to the day she took her first airplane ride at the age of 85, Mary Peterson Ipsen had many interesting experiences that filled her life with adventure.

Mary journeyed across the plains with her family before she was even 2 years old. She once lived in a dug-out on the banks of Northern Utah's Bear River, and in 1876 was crowned as queen of a wooden bridge that spanned the river. However, Mary's most unique experience, and the one which brought her fame, was her presence at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869 when at age 12 she witnessed the driving of the golden spike.

In the spring of 1869, the Union Pacific railroad was making its way through Box Elder County, laying the rails that would join the nation's first transcontinental railroad. Mary's mother, Christine Nessen Petersen, got work cooking for the rail workers as the Union Pacific line moved west from Corinne to Promontory. Mary also went to work for the railroad as a cook's helper for General Jack Casement's Union Pacific crew of Irishmen.

The work was hot and dusty and paid very little. When later talking about her experiences, Mary recalled a big soup kettle in which meals were prepared and an old cook stove that was hauled forward with the line in its own special wagon. Mary recounted that both the cook and her helper ate whatever – if anything –was left on the table after the men finished.

Mary lived to see the driving of the Golden Spike, as well as attend an "Undriving of the Spike" ceremony on September 8, 1942, when the rails, no longer in use, were removed as part of a national effort to reclaim unused metals during World War II.

Mary, who died at the age of 91 on June 21, 1948, was the only known person to have been present at both ceremonies and, at the time of her death, was touted as "possibly the last living person who clearly remembers the historically famed driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory summit."

Saturday marks the 145th anniversary of the driving of the golden spike. On May 10, the annual re-enactment depicting the event will be held at the Golden Spike National Historic Site at Promontory Summit (west of Brigham City).

Volunteers will portray dignitaries who were present on May 10, 1869, and replicas of the original locomotives – the Union Pacific's 119 and Central Pacific's Jupiter – will chug down a length of track. Visitors are invited to wear period dress and participate in a 10 a.m. photo shoot that recreates the first photo of the historic event.

The visitor center at the site, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., hosts displays, informative films, and a railroad and Utah history-based gift shop. You can find driving directions at the park service's Golden Spike website or call 435-471-2209 ext. 29.

For a full schedule of events visit the National Park Service's events page. Admission is free.


Lori Nawyn is the author of the recently released inspirational book Simple Things (Covenant) and creator of the Jack & Abbie travel series for children. To learn more about Lori, her art, and books, please visit her website www.lorinawyn.com.

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