The Canadian Pacific Railway from eastern to western Canada was completed in 1885 after 5 years of construction. It not only physically joined the country, but it was also seen as unifying the fairly young dominion of Canada. On the 7th of November in 1885, the last spike was driven, at least ceremonially, by Donald Smith, who was the company director of the CPR. The location was Craigellachie, west of Revelstoke BC. He bent the first spike on his first attempt, but his second try was successful. This rock cairn is just off the Trans Canada Highway.
