Shoals in Martin County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Shoals Golden Spike
Baltimore and Ohio Ohio and Mississippi
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2021
1. Shoals Golden Spike Marker
Shoals was the location of the connecting point of the main east-west railroad line, which was laid westward from Cincinnati, Ohio by the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad Company and eastward from St. Louis, Missouri by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company was a major stock holder of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad Company. On April 15, 1857, the work trains met in Shoals where workmen drove the Golden Spike in the ties.
The celebrity train "chugged" into Shoals on July 4, 1857. The train was loaded with notables including the Honorable Lewis Cash, Secretary of State.
A band played, flags waved, and drinks flowed freely as people rejoiced at the coming of the iron Horse.
After the completion of laying the tracks, Shoals became the location of a train station, water storage tank for steam engines, and a pump station to draw water from the East Fork of the White River to fill the tank.
Erected by Martin County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2021
2. Shoals Golden Spike Marker
this page online
Location. 38° 39.954′ N, 86° 47.505′ W. Marker is in Shoals, Indiana, in Martin County. Marker is on Main Street south of 4th Street (U.S. 50), on the left when traveling south. Marker is located beside the sidewalk at the southwest corner of the building at this address, overlooking the railroad tracks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 Main Street, Shoals IN 47581, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Martin County Court House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Martin County Honor Roll (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Hindostan (approx. 3.9 miles away); The Martin County Guards / Never to be Forgotten (approx. 6.7 miles away); Seal Fountain (approx. 11.6 miles away); The Springs (approx. 11.6 miles away); U.S. Army Hospital (approx. 11.6 miles away); Sunken Garden (approx. 11.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shoals.
Regarding Shoals Golden Spike. The railroad played a big part in Martin County history. The tracks were completed on April 15, 1857, joining St Louis to Cincinnati.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
