Rosita Mines Silver Railroad Spike, 1881
This important silver spike is an historic ingot of gargantuan proportion. One of the few surviving last or first spikes for a western railroad, it may be the second of only two silver spikes still known in existence in private hands, the other being the Tonopah and Goldfield RR spike held by a private party.
The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad began as a narrow gauge (rail distance 3′) in Denver, with the goal of connecting to Salt Lake City. The backers of the road wanted access to both coal and metal mines. As important silver discoveries were made, the road began construction to important silver camps. They got into a legal battle in 1880, and paid $1.4 million for the track through the Royal Gorge along the Arkansas River, key access to Leadville, which was quickly developing into one of the world’s most important silver camps.
When Jay Gould came into control, he changed the focus on the road, and the construction of the branch to Rosita was terminated about 8 miles west near Silver Cliff, just one mile west in a new development known as Westcliffe. The entire business section of Rosita burned to the ground in March, 1881 during final construction, and this may have led to the decision to shorten the rail line to Westcliffe.
Regardless, the Custer County miners and merchants were ecstatic at the news that the rail was completed to Westcliffe. As reported in the Leadville Democrat May 27, 1881:
“SILVER CLIFF. A day long to be remembered by residents of Custer Co. Completion of the D&RG Road and the celebration in consequence thereof.”
“A band was in attendance at the depot when the ceremony of driving a silver spike was presented by the citizens of Rosita and made from the silver of the Rosita mines. On arriving at the Powell House an address of welcome was made by Col. B.F. Montgomery of the Silver Cliff Prospect. This was followed by Gov Pitkin, ex-Gov Gilpin, Carl Wulaten and honorable H.A. Riley, solicitor of the D & RG ‘s road. The silver spike was then formally presented to the railroad company on behalf of which Mr. Riley made an appropriate speech of acceptance.”
Riley later presented the silver spike to the D&RGRR president, General William J. Palmer. Palmer’s granddaughter Mrs. E.Q, Nicholson then gifted the spike on 8/27/1991 to a collector, then sold to the present owner. A note from the family accompanies the spike.
The silver spike weighs 6.57 troy ounces, and is about 4″ long, engraved on all four sides of the spike and on the top as well.
“Rosita” on the top of the spike.
“The Citizens of Rosita, Greeting//
May, 1881//
From the Silver mines near Rosita//
In Commemoration of the Completion of the/ D&RG RR to Custer County, Colorado”
The silver spike shows impact on the head where struck.
- City: Rosita
- County: Custer County
- State: CO
- Date: 1881
[09/2014] https://www.icollector.com/Rosita-Silver-Spike-1881_i20352894 ($26,690)