The “last spike”
Canadian Museum of History, 2011.132.78, IMG2012-0232-0001-Dm
This silver spike was meant to be hammered in by Governor General Lord Lansdowne during the “last spike” ceremony on November 7, 1885 to mark the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR) at Craigellachie, B.C. But poor weather and pressing business forced the Governor General back to Ottawa and a regular iron spike was used. In 1886, Lansdowne had the silver spike mounted on granite and sent to William Van Horne, General Manager of the CPR.