Golden Spike Cultural Landscape Report

The authors of this report wish to thank those individuals who supported and participated in various aspects of the project. Golden Spike National Historic Site Superintendent Bruce M. Powell and his staff took a strong interest in the cultural landscape analyses conducted within the NHS. They made the numerous records, photographs, and other documents housed in the park collection readily available to researchers, participated in the several field evaluations, and provided insightful comments on the various landscape values associated with the national historic site. Superintendent Powell, particularly, escorted project personnel during fieldwork, provided detailed comments on the drafts submitted for review, and guided research to address park planning and management objectives.

Dr. Adrienne Anderson, archaeologist for the National Park Service's Intermountain Support Office — Denver and the contracting officer's technical representative for this project, has conducted investigative work at Golden Spike National Historic Site since the 1970s and has extensive knowledge of the site and its cultural and natural resources. Her guidance throughout the project was greatly appreciated.

We wish to thank Cathy Gilbert, Historical Landscape Architect for the Columbia Cascade Support Office of the National Park Service, who unselfishly gave of her personal time to review and provide comments on this cultural landscape report. We also express our appreciation to Michael Polk, Sagebrush Consultants, L.L.C., who collaborated on the historical research. Finally, we thank the staffs at the various archival repositories who assisted project research personnel in the identification of pertinent research materials including: the Durham Western Heritage Museum, Omaha, Nebraska; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Archives and Library, the University of Utah Archives, and the Utah State Historical Society all in Salt Lake City, Utah; the American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming; the Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln, Nebraska; and the Council Bluffs Public Library, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Although not a perfect document, this final landscape report is better because of the interest and active input provided by these individuals knowledgeable about the transcontinental railroad and the Golden Spike National Historic Site.

Carla Homstad and Janene M. Caywood, Historic Research Associates
Peggy Nelson, Landscape Systems
December 2000