Searching For Nevada's Last Spike - The Reason Las Vegas Exists

About 20 miles south of Las Vegas, in the Nevada desert, is a spot that has been largely forgotten, with only a historic marker off the road to note it. While the spot doesn't receive many visitors or much attention, it marks the end of the completion of something that Las Vegas owes its existence to.
The Last Spike marks the completion of what was once the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad, the first link between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. The railroad had to make it through the nearly empty Nevada desert, and when they sold off some of their excess land, the city of Las Vegas was formed.
In this video we travel to the site of the historic marker then travel about a mile to the north where historians believe the last spike actually went in.
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[@davidelack8809]

Thank you for finding obscure things to check out, I find life so much more interesting when you know about stuff a person would not necessarily think about or even care. Some of us care!

[@apocyldoomer]

David, I care about obscure history, so interesting, so, some of us care, that’s right!

[@censured-again]

Someone must go there and paint a spike gold. Polish it and put a second coat on it. How long do you think it will stay in place?

[@johnchedsey1306]

Las Vegas's existence still trips me out. Considering just over 100 years ago there was basically nothing, it's astounding to see what it is now. Really goes to show a) the power of railroads at the time and b) the power of gambling later on.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, its amazing to think that there was no town before 1905 and just 100 years later millions of people are there.

[@eriksand9262]

Las Vegas also exists thanks to the Hoover Dam. When Boulder City was created to house the workers of the Hoover dam. Las Vegas grew because that’s where they would go to waste their money. Since gambling isn’t allowed in Boulder City.

[@user-jp7rk1uf2n]

Las Vegas was originally known as Water Station #25. I was told that by an old relative of mine 60 years ago.

[@spirral9]

Being a Navy brat, I spent most of my childhood in San Diego, mostly Mira Mesa, as my Dad was stationed at Miramar, when it belonged to the Navy. He retired in '71, and we stayed in San Diego. We DID move to Memphis, Tennessee for a couple of years in the mid 70's, but got 'homesick' for San Diego, and moved back. As SD got expensive, and other personal reasons, I moved to the Las Vegas area in 2001. I've been here ever since. This is really interesting, as I've never heard of this before. I've even seen a few videos on the 'making of Las Vegas', and this is never mentioned in the history. Only the fact about the land auction in 1905 is covered. Thank you so much for this! Interesting!

[@milojanis4901]

Many years ago, in 1977, I stopped at a rest area S.W. of Vegas, heading for California on I-15. While there I noticed what looked to be homeless people living at the rest area. I also noticed a dirtbike out in the desert, really going fast. When I commented that he was really making time for being on desert sand. The guy I talked to told me he wasn't going fast on desert sand, he was on the 'old L.A. Highway!' I can't find the rest area or any trace of the old L.A. Highway in that area on google maps, but it was 46 years ago, so I suspect both are gone in that particular area. Nice job on the vid, and yes, I'm subbed.....

[@estruble]

Thanks for doing the research and posting this video. I remember my grandmother talking about her father working on the railroad and living as a little girl on the Stewart ranch. Back in the 60’s we went with her to LV and attempted to find where she had lived. We were unable to locate where on the Stewart ranch she might have lived but the elementary school she attended was still there but abandoned. About 25 years ago I stopped at the state museum in LV attempting to set if anything about her family existed in the records of early LV. I guess I’ll now have to dig through all the old slides my father left me to see if I can find the ones of our trip to LV, pre-strip (if I remember all the casinos were downtown prior to the strip).

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I think part of the Stewart house might still be there as a historic center, but I might be thinking of her later house. It must have been amazing to see in those days.

[@Sasquatchprospector]

It's amazing how many places exist because of railways. So many towns and roads that formed because of the need for railways. Great video!

[@Raptorman0909]

You do a great job of informing without the hype an clickbait tactics -- very much appreciated.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks!

[@secretdaisy6484]

That was really interesting as are all of your videos. I appreciate the efforts that you put into researching lesser known sites and topics that people drive by and miss regularly. It’s too bad there wasn’t some kind of ceremony marking the completion and driving of the last spike for this railroad 🛤️ like Promontory Point. I realize it’s really in the middle of nowhere and doesn’t represent as much as the trans continental railroad but it’s still important. I’m celebrating it anyway! Yippee 👏🍾🥂🎉Yay Steve! 👍☮️🌞🩵

[@markcarson853]

Promontory SUMMIT

[@conniewojahn6445]

I vote for the spike sticking up! It's like it's saying, "Me me, I'm the one you're looking for!" It may not be the last spike between east and west, but it could be the latest spike replaced since then, so it's a "last spike" of some sort. Thanks for taking us along. Looking forward to next Wednesday. Until then, I'll review other videos. My current favorite is the bee nest in the old airplane engine. I'm pretty sure they're harmless honey bees. Gotta love them, busy little pollinators that they are! Would be nice if you check on them to see how they're doing.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Maybe I'll head out there one day during the summer to check on them.

[@tortugalisa4748]

​@@SidetrackAdventures That would be a great video update Steve👍

[@milt6208]

The reason Las Vegas exists is because there is water here and the railroad. Anybody who has lived here for some time knows this.

[@Jackg1949]

Hi Steve, I always enjoy your videos. Your positive attitude and soothing voice is relaxing to watch. Thanks for the joy, I’m a 75 year old veteran and your work helps with my ptsd. Jack

[@AbandonedMines11]

This was a great little gem of a video full of interesting historical information! Well done! The drone footage is a bonus. Loved it!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@AbandonedMines11]

@@SidetrackAdventures This may seem like a dumb question but I’ve often wondered if the so-called golden spike that was always driven at the completion of a railroad line was actually made out of solid gold. Or is it just a colorful expression? I couldn’t imagine they would drive a solid gold spike into the railroad because wouldn’t somebody come back later on and steal it?

[@skydiverclassc2031]

​@@AbandonedMines11 They pre-drilled the hole first, to ensure that the dignitaries would not embarrass themselves by not being able to drive the spike in. Then, the spike was at 18k gold , as pure gold is very malleable and would have folded right over on the first strike. All four "last spikes" on the Promontory Point connection were removed and sent to museums, except for one that remained in private hands. Wiki article.

[@boomtownrat5106]

The things you miss when you have a destination in mind and not consider the things you can find along the way. How many times have I driven on Highway 91 and I’ve never paid attention to that historical marker. Well, I’m going to be heading out on a road trip to St. Louis soon and I’ll be traveling along Hwy 15 for a while, I’ll make a point at seeing the marker and site. I love rail Road history, so it will be worth it to me.

[@milojanis4901]

Enter US 66!!!

[@galardmills5306]

Great episode, and tightly focused. I’ve explored the remnants of the routes built for Nevada mining. And I’ve stood at the Ten Miles In One Day marker in Utah. Now I’ll have to seek out The Last Spike marker. Thank you for showing us!

[@terrystewart2070]

Steve...thanks for making me wonder if my ancestors owned Vegas pre railroad days. My Dad was born in 1923, and many moons ago told me that as a young man he had visited friends or maybe relatives in Las Vegas, and it was just a typical small town in the middle of BF nowhere, just a few square blocks, that was it. Guess I will never know...but I love your channel! Thank you!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That sounds accurate pre-1930s and gambling.

[@bossb2539]

If you go North from the marker on the road on the actual rail bed there is a marker on the rail it’s self. Good history lesson!

[@heyoldman2003]

thank you again. love your “ history channel “ i like seeing the dry desert. i’m in the Great North Wet ( West) . and i am sick of dampness and rain 😖 your shows break that spell 😎

[@eddie8279]

Really enjoyed this video. I visited the "Golden Spike" location years ago and it was great to learn more about the Railroad history. I have also visited the home of William Andrews Clark in Butte, Montana. That is where I learned how he was the one that built the Las Vegas shipping hub for mining supplies to the mines in Montana. He was known as the "copper king"

[@freewill1114]

Well, that's interesting! When I see a Clark county, I will usually assume it was named after Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Butte is my home town, and I thought I knew a lot about the Copper Kings, one of whom is W.A. Clark, but had no idea he was the one from which Clark County, Nevada was named.

[@cynergy4]

There is plenty in the desert to see, one just has to look closer 😊

[@101happyfuntime]

Man i love your videos. I love fantasizing about some future roadtrip where i'll visit all these interesting places myself. And as someone from not so sunny scandinavia i love all these western US places, it's such a great setting. And your style is just perfect, you keep things simple and slow, it really allows the viewer to just relax and feel like they're in that place. Seriously dude it's really great stuff.

[@discostew115]

I love your obscure history videos.

[@lindagrimmett6564]

That is so very interesting! Especially after watching a show about the train race to reach to coast.

[@roywhitman7109]

Steve, you can come up with some really interesting, off the wall information!! I love this kind of stuff! Keep up the good work!!👍

[@granvillewooster7673]

Cool video brother love your channel thank you so very much for sharing 👍👍❤️

[@citxsd70m-2]

Great documentary! Definitely learned something!

[@michaelsimonds2632]

Excellent video, Mr. Adventures! Beautiful images with the drone give a sense of how much land (referred to as "nothing") there is in all directions. Thanks for another fine posting!

[@enriquelandaf]

Thanks Steve. be safe, and hydrated. Your videos are wonderful, I love them.

[@mrdave777]

I just wanted to say you do a fantastic job. And have earned all your subs, anticipate more!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@tortugalisa4748]

Your "brief history" is always so wonderful to listen to Steve☺️👍 I am learning so much! I am in love with that area, amazing! I am going with the one lifted spike as The Last Spike as well😊 Thank you for another great video Steve🤙🏜️

[@michael184272]

Very informative and extremely interesting..thanks

[@romalacroix8162]

Love your videos of places I surely would never get to see otherwise. THANK YOU. You All be Safe. ❤😊

[@tristanflores1069]

Very interesting piece of history, thank you for sharing. See you next week.

[@mwalako]

Great video as always. I really enjoy these obscure history points.

[@ksr1177]

Another great video I always enjoy your history lesson. Thanks again and be safe out there.

[@danbrown2170]

Nicely done. I really enjoy your stories that you post for us to watch and learn.

[@apocyldoomer]

Steve, very interesting, again, a short and sweet to the point video, good stuff ! Happy trails!

[@davidmclaughlin2796]

Thanks Steve, I love your bits and pieces of history. They'd fade away if it wasn't for your work. Keep it going. David

[@more2xplore]

Great story and well presented, am now gonna stop and check out Last Spike on next trip to vegas

[@ScratchGlass9]

Another fun and historic trek. Great vid and photography ! Cheers from Detroit 🇺🇲

[@LxYouTube]

This is my fifth vid as a sub. Great stuff to the max! Luv your research, production, and presentation. Spot on. I've travelled this route MANY times but never appreciated the history. TY my bro.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@aaroncrewse5746]

This video popped up as a suggestion, I am glad I watched it. The video is well done and it is a really cool topic!

[@gearheadgregwi]

I've never been to Southwest. Probably never have the resources to go. But, your vids really bring off the beaten path up and close. Appreciate it.

[@joetorrey6922]

Cool. Interesting. So much out there in the desert. Thanks for bringing it to us.

[@RWX348]

Another outstanding video Steve! Thank you.

[@UniusPoenitentis]

Great video Steve! Very interesting history! 👍

[@SpanishEclectic]

Definitely less fanfare over this spike than the Transcontinental Railroad. Compared to major cities in California (San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco) which began with the Spanish Missions in the late 1700s, Las Vegas is quite "new". Water rights may not sound that important, but back in the day people were killed over them. As noted below, it would be interesting to learn a bit more about Mrs. Stewart and her ranch. Thanks for another fun look at "The West".

[@ramong2277]

Always interesting sir, channel is amazing and unique. 👍🙏

[@joefoltz4297]

That was amazing!! Another one of your videos just went on my list!!! Awesome! I hope one day we can cross paths, I'll even buy lunch.

[@vitale6633]

A great summary of history to the origins of LV. Thanks for publishing !

[@idgamingfederation202]

been glued to your videos, found you via the algorithm after diving down a rabbit warren with the channel from across the pond 'Auto Shenanigans'

[@aspitofmud6257]

Always very iñformative. Thanks.

[@CactusAtlas]

Fascinating! Always learning something new from you! We were also just recently at Seven Magic Mountains! 😂

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I wanted to test out my AI removal feature for photos on my phone, so I took some pictures at Seven Magic Mountains and it could not handle all the people and out of place colors haha. Its a pretty cool stop though.

[@tomsbackyard8172]

You did a great job with this vid. I especially appreciated the old maps.

[@TonyM-Nevada]

Great job on the spike near Sutor !! There WAS a spike there though ... a small golden spike ... placed by Chief Engineer Tilton, of the SPLA&SL. But once used in the "ceremony" it was retrieved and returned to the wife of the general manager R.E. Wells, who had it made up in the first place. You can see the article in the February 1, San Bernardino Sun :-) Tony Messina

[@TonyM-Nevada]

That article is in the 1905 paper...

[@Last_one_before_I_go]

You need to go National. Your vids are so interesting. Thanks for all your work.

[@rufusmacck3712]

Another great story. Thanks!

[@MegaCoolguy1996]

Man I love these videos

[@GervsAdventures]

Well worth watching, will watch more of our videos like this.

[@TheStuport]

A really entertaining piece of Americana History Steve! And here I always thought it was The Mafia that was responsible for The Birth Of Las Vegas! OHHH 🤣 Laying that down that amount of tracks must have been difficult for many in the heat! The Drone shots were amazing! Really puts into perspective just how desolate and unforgiving the desert can be....but in the same breath it really is spectacular to behold too! I'm assuming Mr. Clark gave Ms. Stewart "an offer for her land that she could not refuse"! I know, cheesy but I just had to say it! 😂 That one Spike sticking up was perfect too for the Commemoration of this video! Really appreciate my seat in this Community and reading all of the comments too! Blessings From COW-lumbus, Ohio MOO

[@SidetrackAdventures]

haha I didn't see anywhere what she was paid for the land, but based on everything I've seen she was pretty smart businesswoman so she probably made out.

[@MichaelTitera]

Another Great Video, San Diego Steve! I always wondered why it was called Clark County (and not Las Vegas County). Thanks to you, I now know! 😊

[@PennyHays44]

And I graduated from Clark High School in 1978. Vegas was very different then.

[@JustinBrockel]

Your page is inspiring me to learn more about the area i live in. If i do start and exploration and historical page similar to what you've created for Alaska, i will comment on a future video. Thank you as always! Another great video. 👍🏻

[@susanherman3707]

Love the history and tour of our beautiful southwest. Love your matter of fact style of what may seem unimportant now, but is valuable to our current lifestyle. Thank you!!

[@daveh4283]

Great video stevet

[@jimsretiring2024]

Thanks! Great content.

[@jeffclark7888]

Great content!

[@markomaticd4106]

Very neat to see that remote stuff. Thanks!

[@dpragain]

Great video !

[@stevewhalen6973]

Thanks! Another great informative history video !

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

[@larryaldrich4351]

Sidetrack Steve has the coolest job in the West.

[@jeffreysalomone6354]

I grew up in Nevada (Reno), but had never heard about this!!

[@AndrewSmith-ir1ui]

Way cool video. Thanks.

[@kennethjosephson134]

Awesome video. Years ago, I explored a few of the lesser used surviving segments of former U.S. 91 here in Nevada, as well as in Utah and California.

[@mcallisterwill]

4:05 'Cactus set on fire to celebrate opening'... 🤣

[@AN0nnyMouse]

Las Vegas doesn't owe its existence to the last spike. It existed long before that. It owes its existence to its abundant (for the time) water supply in the middle of the arid Mojave Desert. At the time that the two competing railroads arrived, Las Vegas had a spring which was 40 feet across. As Las Vegas historian Bob Stoldal said, there were half a dozen places where you could literally just poke a sharp stick in the ground and water would come out. That's why the Ancestral Puebloans were farming the area 1200 years ago. It's why the Paiute came later and settled in the area. It's why the early Spanish explorers called it "Las Vegas", or "The Meadows", and why explorer and trader Antonio Armijo visited in 1830. It's why John Fremont visited in 1844. It's why Las Vegas was on a map issued by the US Congress in 1848. And it's why forward thinking people saw that when the railroads came, they would come to Las Vegas. Helen Stewart, who owned a business catering to travelers passing through on the Old Spanish Trail, also had a ranch where she raised cattle, other livestock, and grew peaches, and wine grapes. She also established a local post office. She and her husband had moved there in the early 1880s because her husband wanted to do business in the already existing town. In the early 1900s, foreseeing the inevitable coming of the railroads, she bought up all the land she could, becoming the largest landholder in the area. She sold her land to Clark and the railroad for $55,000. That's equivalent to almost $2 million dollars today. JT McWilliams was the surveyor who surveyed Helen Stewart's property. He also foresaw the inevitable coming of the railroads due to Las Vegas' water supply. He purchased 80 acres of unclaimed land, which he subdivided, platted, recorded. He sold those parcels before Clark and the railroad began their development in the town. McWilliams named his little village Las Vegas, in keeping with the established reference. The area had 900 residents, and many businesses, including a blacksmith, barber shop, beauty shop, delicatessen and bakery, farming and ranching supplies, etc. However, Clark, one of the wealthiest men on earth, had resources far beyond those of McWilliams. When he announced the auction of his own subdivided townsite, he promised much great amenities. So, do you know who purchased most of the parcels in his auction? The people and businesses who were already living and located in the McWilliams townsite. After the auction, they put their buildings on skids and moved them to the railroad's new townsite. Basically, the railroad's auction wasn't responsible for founding the town of Las Vegas. It was responsible for physically moving the existing town a short distance away.

[@ednafronkelbarger8601]

Exactly. Clark and the railroad controlled the municipal water supply. They promised that all of their new lots would have water. Meanwhile, McWilliams' lots would not receive municipal water until 22 years later. So the people in McWilliams' Las Vegas townsite bought lots in the railroad's new town site, put their buildings on skids and rollers, and moved them across the railroad tracks to the new site. The old McWilliams townsite became known as "Rag Town", and was the poor part of town after that.

[@laskartrece]

Thank you Sir! It is great that you remember...

[@dezertraider]

VERY COOL STEVE,,YOU ROCK,.I NEVER KNEW THIS,VERY COOL..SAFE TRAVELS..

[@joefoltz4297]

I'm heading to Caliente, Nv on September 14th and I'm definitely stopping here on the way. Thanks

[@toadpot]

Cool, I didn't know about the LA to Salt Lake City line, thank you for the knowledge, but as I understand it, when the Mormons left San Bernardino, in the 1850s, Las Vegas was a watering station, on their way to Salt Lake City, and prior to that the Spanish had it as a water stop in the Mission Days.

[@gofast3209]

You do a great job!!!

[@davevan8864]

You do good work!

[@roger9552]

Nicely done

[@skyking4501]

Very interesting and entertaining.

[@acornsucks2111]

Badass video.

[@douglasbarry7612]

Hey Steve, if the last spike is sticking up a little.... that means they never officially completed construction... geez, do I gotta do all the thinkin around here?

[@ronhansen4786]

Keep up the good work Steve you can tell you do your research

[@leonajameson8902]

Great video

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@tech9803]

William Andrews Clark really got around. I never made the connection with Clark County. He was a big wheel in places as diverse as Butte, Montana and Santa Barbara, CA.

[@s.porter8646]

Sweet vid

[@mikecyclingsocal912]

Nice job

[@lgd4247]

Thanks Steve!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@rrelectric5159]

Love the railroad points of interest. Great show!

[@adassociates8235]

Steve, your research of history is awesome as always 🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸

[@trumer-and-co]

Thanks for another interesting history story. Until next week....Happy trails!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you!

[@michaela6147]

New Sub👍

[@robertmongerthe9025]

My great aunt Zilpha was the first white child born on the Las Vegas meadows. My grandfather used to cowboy for the local ranches as a young man and ran cattle down the wash. He didn't think much of Vegas even then.

[@tttyuhbbb9823]

😍🤩😀😃😄😆🤣

[@dbone1110]

Keep up the great work ✌️

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@snydedon9636]

There’s Las Vegas and there’s old Las Vegas. Was old Las Vegas the original Las Vegas? My wife and I went to Las Vegas in 93. We had a car rental the whole time and really enjoyed traveling around during the day. Two places we visited was old Las Vegas and red rock, I think it was called. Old Las Vegas was interesting, but red rock canyon was very cool. The descendants of the original mule trains, donkeys, were really neat. I really enjoyed my time there but wouldn’t want to live there.

[@yelapa999]

I really appreciate your videos. And I love Nevada, a state which needs to find a new contractor for their heritage markers. Which look like repurposed trash bins. Which ain't sayin' I don't appreciate 'em anyway.

[@shop99er]

I visited the "other" sign 10 years ago.

[@fearsomebeard4290]

I really enjoy your videos. Go Padres!