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It was a defining moment when Canadian Pacific Railway workers from East and West
met in British Columbia's Eagle Pass. As Donald Smith drove home the Last Spike in the transcontinental railway on the morning of
7 Nov 1885, at 09:22 PDT, Canada ceased to be, in the words of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, "a mere geographic
expression". Against all odds, the twin ribbons of steel had united the new Province of British Columbia with the country's more
populous centres in the East to create a very real and viable nation, from sea to sea.
In the ensuing 125 years, Canadian Pacific has played a vital role in the growth and
development of the country, particularly in the West. For decades, a CPR ticket was the most efficient means of traversing the continent,
and the only way to access remote locations. The railway offered secure and stylish accommodation. It provided an economic lifeline
between the major commercial centres of North America. It earned a worldwide reputation as Canada's scenic highway to some of the
continent's most
unexploited natural wonders.
Canadian Pacific shuttled soldiers and supplies to war, as surely and efficiently as
it ferried well-to-do passengers around the world on luxury cruises. It pioneered the China trade, forging the long-standing business ties
that Canada has maintained with other countries on the Pacific Rim. It represented Canadians well, contributing significantly to the way
we see ourselves and the way in which we are seen by others around the world.
Today, Canadian Pacific continues to serve as a vital economic engine, operating a
transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States, and applying more than a century of logistics expertise to the business of
moving just about everything. CP provides rail and intermodal services to and from the principal business centres in Canada and the U.S.
Northeast and Midwest regions. Agreements with other land and ocean carriers continue to extend CP's market reach throughout North America
and around the world. The continent's trade with Asia has grown a thousand-fold and Canadian Pacific has been and continues to be at every
significant milestone along the way.
After the Last Spike was driven, CPR's legendary builder was asked to comment on the
significance of the momentous event. "All I can say," William Van Horne replied, "is that the work has been well done in
every way." One hundred and twenty-five years later, the work is still being well done, and Canadian Pacific
continues to make
history every day. |
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Telegram dated 7 Nov 1885 from Van Horne to John A. MacDonald informing the Prime Minister of
the completion of the railway and a note of thanks for the support that was given to the CPR.
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Mechanical drawings of a railway spike and a shot of the Last Spike on display in the Canadian
Pacific museum car. At Donald Smith's request, part of the salvaged spike was used to make souvenir scarf pins for the spouses of
CPR directors and other dignitaries associated with the project's completion. |
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