Golden Spike/ Crossroads of the West: National Heritage Area Study

This report documents a study of the Golden Spike I Crossroads of the West area in northern Utah to see if it meets the criteria for possible designation as a national heritage area (NHA). According to the legislation calling for the study (Public Law 106-577. see Appendix A), the area to be studied for possible national heritage area (NHA) designation is comprised of "sites relating to completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the State of Utah, concentrating on those areas identified on the map included in the Golden Spike Rail Study." This is a report of the study conducted by the National Park Service (NPS) to determine if the area meets the criteria stated in the legislation and in the NPS National Heritage Area Feasibility Study Guidelines. Using research; on-site fact-finding; and consultation with the Utah State Historic Preservation Office, Golden Spike National Historic Site, the Bureau of Land Management Salt Lake Field Office, and other organizations and individuals; the study team addressed each of the criteria and developed the findings summarized below. A heritage theme for interpreting the region has been identified: "Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad." Although completion of the railroad officially occurred on May 10, 1869, the theme encompasses the period of construction in Utah and use of the Promontory Branch, the original transcontinental railroad route. This theme is interpreted by the Golden Spike National Historic Site, the proposed National Bear River Heritage Area, and the Utah State Railroad Museum in Ogden. The National Park Service found that the resources related to the transcontinental railroad in Utah are nationally significant and that several National Heritage Area criteria were met. However, the study found that the area does not fully meet all the criteria. Therefore, the Golden Spike/Crossroads of the West study area is found to be not suitable and the National Park Service does not recommend it for designation as a stand-alone NHA. Other possibilities for the resources studied are provided at the conclusion of the report.