The Driving of the Last Spike
Thomas Hill · 1881
Why it's great
On May 10, 1869, the last spike joined the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads at Promontory, Utah, creating the first railroad across America. Thomas Hill painted the crowd at the ceremony in 1881.
🏛️ Part of history
Westward Expansion & the Frontier (1803–1890) — On May 10, 1869, the last spike joined the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads at Promontory, Utah, creating the first railroad across America.
Where to see it
📍 Location not recordedWe couldn't confirm where it hangs today. Museums sometimes move or lend paintings, so check the museum's website before you travel.
Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Thomas Hill was an English-born American painter born in Birmingham in 1829. He grew up in Massachusetts and moved to California, where he painted huge landscapes of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. He died in Raymond, California, in 1908.
