IntegriCo Recognizes the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike

May 10th marks the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike, when the first transcontinental railroad was completed in the United States. This was a historical moment for the country, as it led to the further development of the west.

The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 was signed by President Lincoln to connect the Pacific and central parts of the country. The act provided federal support of land grants and government bonds to construct a transcontinental railroad between the eastern side of the Missouri River and the Sacramento River.

The Central Pacific Railroad put down its first spike on October 26, 1863 in Sacramento, California. The Union Pacific Railroad began on December 3, 1863 in Omaha, Nebraska. Both railroads were faced with obstacles as they were built amid extreme weather, difficult terrain, and scarce resources.

Seven years and 1,776 miles later, the two railroads met in Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869 where a crowd gathered to celebrate the union. The Golden Spike was put down to commemorate the event and has since been recognized as one of the most prominent events in the history of the United States.

Railroads are deeply rooted within the development of the United States and have come a long way since 1869. As the country is now faced with sustainability challenges and doing its part to protect the planet, IntegriCo Composites has risen to become one solution to plastic waste and sustainable transportation.

IntegriTies™ not only offer a solution to the short lifespan and danger of creosote-treated wooden railroad ties, but the composite material that makes IntegriTies™ is made from 100% recycled plastic that would have otherwise been destined for landfills. Over 765,000 pounds of plastic can be used to create one mile of IntegriTies, and IntegriCo has diverted over 80 million pounds of plastic since 2009 away from landfills.