The Rail Chains Final Link

Pacific Atlantic

Photographed By James Quirk, August 13, 2008

1. The Rail Chains Final Link Marker

Inscription. A continuous chain of rails from Atlantic to Pacific -- long a vision of pioneer railroaders and frontier-tamers -- became reality at 3:00 P.M. on August 15, 1870. At a point 3,812 ft. east of the depot in what now is Strasburg, Colorado. Near Comanche Crossing, named for a usually dry, sometimes rampaging creek, the last rails were spiked by Kansas Pacific Railroad crews driving west from Kansas and East from Denver to give the Nation its first truly continuous coast-to-coast railroad. On the final day the crews laid a record-breaking 10 1/2 miles of track in 9 hours to win a barrel of whiskey which canny formen had placed midway in the final gap.

Erected by Union Pacific Company in cooperation with Comanche Crossing Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 44.197′ N, 104° 19.497′ W. Marker was in Strasburg, Colorado, in Arapahoe County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Railroad Street and Arapahoe Street, on the right when traveling west. In Lyons Park, one block south of Colfax Avenue

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(US 36) near the center of town. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Strasburg CO 80136, United States of America.

We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Comanche Crossing Centennial (here, next to this marker); First Transcontinental Railroad (approx. 0.3 miles away); High-Five Plains Towns / Ten Miles a Day (approx. 3.9 miles away); Front Range Flight (approx. 3.9 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker was removed some time before July 2012.

Regarding The Rail Chains Final Link. There is a white concrete pylon next to the marker. It marked the original location of where the "first truly continuous coast-to-coast railroad" was finally joined. Strasburg, previously known as Comanche Crossing, was renamed in 1870 in honor of Kansas Pacific official.

Additional commentary.
1. Marker replaced with another at old depot.
About 1500 feet away from this now removed marker is a similar marker,

Photographed By James Quirk, August 13, 2008

2. The Rail Chains Final Link Marker

Note the white concrete pylon next to the Historical Marker.

entitled Transcontinental Railroad, with same wording.

— Submitted August 22, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Lyons Park in 2017 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 16, 2017

3. Lyons Park in 2017

Marker was located next to pylon in middle background of photo

Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2009, by Geraldine Kelley of Thornton, Colorado. This page has been viewed 2,125 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2009. 3. submitted on August 19, 2017, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.