Golden Spike Cultural Landscape Report

Vegetation

Native Vegetation

A few written descriptions and photographs have been located that describe the vegetation of the NHS at the time of the construction and early use of the transcontinental railroad. Accounts of the area, such as that of Isaac Morris, a commissioner who visited the area in May of 1869 described the summit as "covered with artemisia" or sagebrush. Surveyors' maps of the area give few clues to the distribution of native plants across the landscape other than notations such as "shrubby sage and grease wood" and "fine pasture lands." Historical photographs of the area show mixed stands of shrubby plants (presumably sagebrush and rabbitbrush or broom snakeweed) and grasses.

Construction activities did impact the native vegetation both within and adjacent to the right-of-way corridor as indicated by historical photographs. Photos of the area in the vicinity of Promontory Summit taken soon after completion of the transcontinental line, shows a strip of land almost denuded of vegetation — likely due to trampling by people, wagons and draft animals. Beyond the denuded strips, a low-growing variety of sagebrush is visible, possibly the variety referred to by local ranchers as "horse" sage. However, even in these areas, the grasses that one would expect to see in a mixed sagebrush steppe environment are not apparent in the photographs.

Beyond the railroad right-of-way, one of the consequences to settlement of the area was the introduction of large herds of cattle. By the 1880s overstocking had depleted the native grasses and an extremely hard winter in 1888 resulted in the loss of several thousand head. Although the number of cattle on the range subsequently decreased, the area continued to be used for grazing through the entirety of the historical period. A consequence of grazing has been a shift in the distribution of native plants. Overall, there appears to be a proportional increase in the density of native shrubs, and a decrease in the density of native grasses.

Ornamental Vegetation

Within the NHS, the introduction of vegetation for ornamental purposes appears to be limited to the Promontory Summit area. During the settlement period, permanent residents of Promontory Station introduced a number of hearty native and exotic plants to the area. Box elder trees were planted to provide shade. In addition, an exotic shrub known by the common name of "matrimony vine" was planted around various buildings and structures at the station. A golden currant bush marks the general vicinity of the Golden Hotel later operated as the Houghton Store.

The most recent introduction of ornamental vegetation occurred during park service tenure of the property. Foundation plantings have been added around the visitor center to soften the edges of the new building, and the asphalt surface of the parking area is divided by planting islands. For the most part, native plants such as sagebrush and juniper were used in the landscaping adjacent to the visitor center and in the planting islands. Exceptions include the strip of grass lawn near the front, rear and east end of the visitor center, and the lawn and gardens surrounding the ranger's residence.

Agricultural Vegetation

By the turn of the century the lands along the railroad were being cultivated for dryland farming. The introduction of this method of farming marks the first deliberate large-scale introduction of non-native plant species into the railroad right-of-way and on adjacent lands. Although the railroad owned all of the lands within the right-of-way, there is no indication that it was fenced. Thus, it was not unusual for adjacent landowners to cultivate right up to the base of the grade. During the historical period, the principal crops grown in the fields adjacent to the right-of-way included wheat and oats, with a little barley.

After the park service acquired the lands included in the NHS, the agency discontinued the practice of letting adjacent landowners farm within the right-of-way boundary. The NHS boundary is now fenced in a few places, and the formerly cultivated areas have revegetated naturally — principally with sagebrush.

Summary

It is difficult to assess the amount of change in the native vegetation within and adjacent to the historic site. Although 69 per cent of the plants inventoried within the NHS boundaries are native to the area, the relative density of native shrubs versus native grasses and forbs has been altered. Today the landscape is no longer dominated by the tall wild grasses that some say characterized the native "sagebrush steppe" present at the time of railroad construction. Numerous exotic plants that have been introduced to the landscape (both intentionally and unintentionally) include cheat grass, Russian thistle, alfalfa, tumble mustard, and crested wheatgrass. However, although the distribution and density of vegetation has changed, the vegetation can still be characterized as a mix of native grasses, shrubs and forbs.

With regard to the historical ornamental plantings, there are two box elder trees, both in declining health, remaining in the summit area. These are believed to have been planted in the early twentieth century and are associated with the later period of significance for the NHS . Similarly, specimens of the introduced matrimony vine can be found in the vicinity of Promontory. The more modern ornamental plantings around the visitor center are inconsequential when considered within the larger cultural landscape associated with the railroad corridor.

Outside the NHS boundaries, lands continue to be used for agricultural pursuits including crop farming. The principal crops are different from those of the historical period and include winter wheat and safflower. However, the pattern of alternating range and cropland remains, and is an important factor in the integrity of setting for the railroad corridor.

Contributing vegetation features include the native plants located within the boundary of the NHS. In addition, the box elder trees, the matrimony vine and the golden currant in the summit area appear to date to the later historic period and are important reminders of the settlement era. Noncontributing vegetation features include the modern foundation plantings adjacent to park service buildings.