1914 Golden Spike Marker Placed Monday, September 15
Spokane will commemorate the 111th anniversary of the golden spike ceremony on September 15, 2025, with a memorial plaque placement. The event will take place at 1 p. m. along the Centennial Trail under the Monroe Street Bridge, celebrating the completion of the Ayer-Cutoff railroad. The Jonas Babcock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution obtained the marker through a grant from the William G.
Pomeroy Foundation. This railroad link dramatically shortened travel to the west coast and established Spokane as a key railroad hub. The opening of Spokane's Union Station on the same day provided essential passenger services. Robert E. Strahorn was instrumental in securing investments that confirmed Spokane's railroad status.
The Ayer-Cutoff represented a critical expansion of Spokane's transportation network, connecting it to previously inaccessible regions. This memorial serves as a reminder of the historical significance of railroad development in the area.