Anchorage Museum and City of Nenana Announce Historic Acquisition of Alaska’s Golden Railroad Spike 
An iconic piece of Alaska’s railroad heritage finally comes home

Jan. 24, 2025

The Anchorage Museum and the City of Nenana will soon bring home Alaska’s Golden Spike, a historic artifact that has been out of Alaska for nearly a century, thanks to a collaborative bid at an auction held by Christie’s.

The solid 14K gold spike was presented as a gift from the City of Anchorage to Colonel Fredrick Mears in 1923 for recognition of his role in constructing the Alaska Railroad. It was also loaned to President Harding for use during the ceremony held on July 15, 1923, near Nenana to mark the railroad's completion.  

This acquisition ensures that this piece of Alaska’s history will be held in the public trust and accessible for future generations and connects Anchorage, Nenana and the railroad once again. The shared vision of the museum and the City of Nenana is to preserve and display the spike so that Alaskans and visitors can learn about its significance in the state’s history.

“We are thrilled to partner with Nenana to share this piece of history with the public,” said Julie Decker, Anchorage Museum Director/CEO. “The Golden Spike is a great piece of storytelling about place and people.”  

The acquisition was also funded with support from the Alaska Railroad and private contributions. The Anchorage Museum and the City of Nenana plan to alternate exhibiting the spike.  

“The City of Nenana is extremely excited and appreciative of this partnership with the Anchorage Museum,” said Nenana Mayor Joshua Verhagen. “I think it's a neat story of an urban and a rural community both along the rail belt coming together for a worthy cause. I look forward to working together and tying our communities together once again with this same Golden Spike.” 

• A Gift with Monumental Significance: 
  The spike was originally presented to Col. Fredrick Mears, who oversaw the construction and completion of the Alaska Railroad, including the ambitious single-span trestle bridge crossing the Tanana River at Nenana. Today known as the Mears Memorial Bridge, this critical span allowed for the final connection of the Alaska Railroad in 1923. 

• Presidential Milestone: 
  On July 15, 1923, President Warren Harding famously drove this very “final spike” into the rails at the Mears Memorial Bridge in Nenana—marking the only time a sitting U.S. President has driven a railroad spike, and the first time a U.S. President ever visited Alaska. 

Rare Public Appearances
With the exception of brief exhibitions in Fairbanks (1967) and Anchorage (2001), the Golden Spike has largely remained out of public view for 100 years. Its most recent appearance at auction was in 1983, making this acquisition a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure it for the people of Alaska.