Monument

Monument, at mile 748.6 from San Francisco, was little more than a railroad siding and wye, and little evidence of that era remains today. Its name came from Monument Point, a prominent landform visible from here. Photos from 1869 show Lone Rock, below Monument Point, in a promotional photo of the Jupiter train engine run by Central Pacific as it carried dignitaries to Promontory for the ceremonial driving of the Golden Spike, signifying the completion of the east and west railroads. A rail spur off the tracks led to the Desert Salt Works, where the salt plant provided employment for some of the 25 or so inhabitants of the settlement. Monument was never very populated, and after the closing of the salt plant, it served as a freight siding for regional ranchers.

Utah · United States