1914 Golden Spike Marker Placed Monday, September 15

Spokane community members will unveil a marker on September 15, 2025, celebrating the 111th anniversary of the Ayer-Cutoff railroad completion. The event will occur at 1 p. m. along the Centennial Trail under the Monroe Street Bridge. This critical railroad link, completed in 1914, connected Spokane to an extensive railroad system, significantly reducing travel time to the west coast.

The marker, funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, will be placed in cooperation with the Spokane Historic Preservation Office. Historical figures like Robert E. Strahorn played a pivotal role in securing investment and development for Spokane's railroad network. On the same day in 1914, the Union Station train depot opened, further establishing Spokane's importance in railroad transport.

The unveiling serves as a reminder of Spokane's historical significance as a major railroad hub in the American West. The event not only commemorates the past but also encourages community engagement with local history.