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GOLDEN SPIKE DAYS

1939

In 1939, Cecil B. DeMille’s movie Union Pacific was set to premier, and plans for a large, commemorative celebration were underway in Omaha, Nebraska. The city had been selected as host for the world premier due to its historical ties with Union Pacific, acting as the “Gateway to the West” and headquarters for the company. The movie highlighted the completion of America’s first Transcontinental Railroad with the joining of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific lines at Promontory Point, Utah. Omaha hosted a four-day celebration known as “Golden Spike Days” from April 26 through April 29 that year.

Activities for visitors included a historical exhibition, four parades, numerous contests and a grand costume ball finale. Citizens and visitors were transported back in time as businesses and people all dressed up in 1860s-era outfits for the occasion.

 

 

Golden Spike Days also hosted the world premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s film Union Pacific. This movie was based on the first transcontinental railroad’s construction and the original Golden Spike ceremony. Union Pacific was shown simultaneously at three of Omaha’s downtown theaters, the Orpheum, the Paramount and the Omaha, with an attendance of 15,000 people overall. An additional estimated 40,000 crowded the streets outside to catch a glimpse of the celebrities or for the “second premiere” set at midnight.
Golden Spike Days also hosted the world premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s film Union Pacific. This movie was based on the first transcontinental railroad’s construction and the original Golden Spike ceremony. Union Pacific was shown simultaneously at three of Omaha’s downtown theaters, the Orpheum, the Paramount and the Omaha, with an attendance of 15,000 people overall. An additional estimated 40,000 crowded the streets outside to catch a glimpse of the celebrities or for the “second premiere” set at midnight.
The event began at the city auditorium. The indoor exhibitions opened at 10:30 AM with the help of President Franklin Roosevelt who pushed a button on his desk in Washington, D.C. This activated scissors which snipped a ribbon in front of the auditorium doors. The exhibits held some of the nation’s most valuable artifacts including the golden spike from the official ceremony held on May 10, 1869. Downtown stores created window displays of historic moments dating back to the birth of Union Pacific and The Associated Retailers of Omaha offered prizes for the best window displays.
The event began at the city auditorium. The indoor exhibitions opened at 10:30 AM with the help of President Franklin Roosevelt who pushed a button on his desk in Washington, D.C. This activated scissors which snipped a ribbon in front of the auditorium doors. The exhibits held some of the nation’s most valuable artifacts including the golden spike from the official ceremony held on May 10, 1869. Downtown stores created window displays of historic moments dating back to the birth of Union Pacific and The Associated Retailers of Omaha offered prizes for the best window displays.
Newspapers at the time determined Golden Spike Days was the largest event that had happened in the Midwest since Omaha’s Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in 1898. The Daily Nebraskan and other newspapers reported that 75,000 to 100,000 people from all over the country attended the celebrations. Others mentioned upwards of 250,000 in attendance. Union Pacific President, W.M. Jeffers acknowledged that the event was a success due to everyone rising to the heights for it. He suggested making the Golden Spike Days an annual affair to make Omaha, not Hollywood, the most talked about city in all of America.
Newspapers at the time determined Golden Spike Days was the largest event that had happened in the Midwest since Omaha’s Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in 1898. The Daily Nebraskan and other newspapers reported that 75,000 to 100,000 people from all over the country attended the celebrations. Others mentioned upwards of 250,000 in attendance. Union Pacific President, W.M. Jeffers acknowledged that the event was a success due to everyone rising to the heights for it. He suggested making the Golden Spike Days an annual affair to make Omaha, not Hollywood, the most talked about city in all of America.
On Friday, April 28, there was a historical parade with twenty floats that represented Great Plains history. Floats were split into five sections depicting themes such as the Lewis and Clark expedition, westward expansion from the Gold Rush, the start of industry, the birth of telegraph lines and the golden spike. On Saturday, April 29, there was a band and drum corps parade that consisted of 35 corps dressed in their finest. After the parade, the visiting band and drum corps began day-long contests for valuable winnings like gold cups and cash prizes.
On Friday, April 28, there was a historical parade with twenty floats that represented Great Plains history. Floats were split into five sections depicting themes such as the Lewis and Clark expedition, westward expansion from the Gold Rush, the start of industry, the birth of telegraph lines and the golden spike. On Saturday, April 29, there was a band and drum corps parade that consisted of 35 corps dressed in their finest. After the parade, the visiting band and drum corps began day-long contests for valuable winnings like gold cups and cash prizes.
The Golden Spike Days celebration had four grand parades that made their way through Downtown Omaha. On Thursday, April 26, there was a military parade and distinguished visitors parade. The military parade consisted of 4,000 men from the Army, National Guard and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and was divided into 24 bands. Distinguished visitors included the Hollywood stars of Union Pacific, Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea and director Cecil B. DeMille. The stars arrived at Union Station and were paraded through the streets in horse-drawn carriages.
The Golden Spike Days celebration had four grand parades that made their way through Downtown Omaha. On Thursday, April 26, there was a military parade and distinguished visitors parade. The military parade consisted of 4,000 men from the Army, National Guard and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and was divided into 24 bands. Distinguished visitors included the Hollywood stars of Union Pacific, Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea and director Cecil B. DeMille. The stars arrived at Union Station and were paraded through the streets in horse-drawn carriages.
Crowds adorned clothes from the late 1800s for the celebration. Men wore beaver hats and long-tailed coats while carrying canes. Roughly 20,000 men grew out their beards to resemble those from the 1860s, there were multiple President Abraham Lincoln lookalikes. Men also joined whisker clubs and competed in contests for best and poorest beards. Women’s styles were considered extravagant, but modest, so they wore gingham patterns, sunbonnets and cotton stockings.
Crowds adorned clothes from the late 1800s for the celebration. Men wore beaver hats and long-tailed coats while carrying canes. Roughly 20,000 men grew out their beards to resemble those from the 1860s, there were multiple President Abraham Lincoln lookalikes. Men also joined whisker clubs and competed in contests for best and poorest beards. Women’s styles were considered extravagant, but modest, so they wore gingham patterns, sunbonnets and cotton stockings.
An enormous costume ball at the Ak-Sar-Ben coliseum on Saturday, April 29, 1939, brought the event to a close. Loudspeakers were installed to bring the band’s music from inside the coliseum to those dancing in the streets. A costume celebration hosted at the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum was said to have over 7,000 in attendance with more than 100 women joining a contest for the title of “Queen of Gingham.” The title was given to 20-year-old Joan Ralston.
An enormous costume ball at the Ak-Sar-Ben coliseum on Saturday, April 29, 1939, brought the event to a close. Loudspeakers were installed to bring the band’s music from inside the coliseum to those dancing in the streets. A costume celebration hosted at the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum was said to have over 7,000 in attendance with more than 100 women joining a contest for the title of “Queen of Gingham.” The title was given to 20-year-old Joan Ralston.
False fronts, also known as facades, were added to businesses to turn back the clock and resemble stores in 1869. The Gus A. Renze Company produced quite a few of the facades, including the additions to Omaha’s Union Station. Union Station was surrounded with logs stacked up to ten feet tall to give the appearance of an older stockade. The station’s interior was decorated to resemble Hollywood to welcome the leading stars of the newly released film, Union Pacific (1939).
False fronts, also known as facades, were added to businesses to turn back the clock and resemble stores in 1869. The Gus A. Renze Company produced quite a few of the facades, including the additions to Omaha’s Union Station. Union Station was surrounded with logs stacked up to ten feet tall to give the appearance of an older stockade. The station’s interior was decorated to resemble Hollywood to welcome the leading stars of the newly released film, Union Pacific (1939).
Council Bluffs, Iowa contributed a large monument to the Golden Spike Days festivities in April 1939. In March of that year, the City of Council Bluffs had decided to develop the monument, which was constructed over the course of 10 days by a team of 14 men. The marker is nearly 60’ tall and, on April 28th, was dedicated at Ninth Avenue and Twenty-First Street. This location is the eastern terminus point for the Union Pacific Railroad.
Council Bluffs, Iowa contributed a large monument to the Golden Spike Days festivities in April 1939. In March of that year, the City of Council Bluffs had decided to develop the monument, which was constructed over the course of 10 days by a team of 14 men. The marker is nearly 60’ tall and, on April 28th, was dedicated at Ninth Avenue and Twenty-First Street. This location is the eastern terminus point for the Union Pacific Railroad.

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