"Then he jumped down, stripped off his coat and drove the final spike."

(SD&AE continued from page 2)

  John D. climbed onto a flat car and told briefly and modestly how he had accomplished the gigantic task. When the Southern Pacific reneged, he said, "Well, then let me do it, and from that moment on I did it and continued the building with such funds as I could spare from my business and such funds as my brother aided me with . . . " until the partnership with the Southern Pacific was formed.
  Then he jumped down, stripped off his coat and drove the final spike. It was a real gold one, costing $286, and it was inscribed "Spike driven, by John D. Spreckels, President." "Last spike driven, San Diego & Arizona Railway, in Carriso Gorge - November 15, 1919."
  And John D. had accomplished the so-called "impossible." Mayor Wilde, in his comments, said: "You have often heard the remark that San Diego is a one-man town. Personally I feel proud to live in San Diego when it is referred to as a one-man town . . . This afternoon you
can't give our great leader enough glory."
  The first through trains from El Centro 146.4 miles to San Diego arrived at Union Station on the afternoon of December 1, 1919, powered by Southern Pacific locomotives. Parades and banquets followed. John D. said "This is the happiest day of my life." The first freight train left San Diego that night with 20 cars.

  This article is the first part of a four-part series on the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway.  The series will focus on the section named "The Carriso Gorge"  at the eastern edge of San Diego County.  The next issue will feature the renowned Lakeside columnist Regis Rosner and his memories of the Gorge.

  Bob Price escorted Claire Westrick to the Grossmont High School Prom in June 1943. Sixty years later we were married in our Palomar Mountain home. The enclosed photo shows our vows taken on Dec. 6, 2003 accompanied by all of our children, and many of our grandchildren.
  Sharon Price Hanson played beautiful piano music, Shirley Price Bedsole sang "You Took My Heart By Surprise" (most appropriate), her husband Rev. Jim Bedsole performed the ceremony, brother David Price was Best Man, and Claire's daughter, Charmon, was Matron of honor.
  It was a lovely sunny day on the Mountain with a great wedding lunch, the younger set playing ball and pitching horseshoes -- just perfect for starting our marriage together.
  Both Bob and Claire are members of the Lakeside Historical Society.

  The Carrizo Gorge section of the railway is now owned and operated by the Carrizo Gorge Railway.  Their mission is to provide dependable freight and passenger options to the international community along the U.S. - Mexican border, to continually increase value to their customers by expanding and improving their services, and to preserve and maintain the historic San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway corridor through both countries.

  Your Society needs some financial help this year.  Because of the Cedar Fire we had to cancel our two main annual fundraisers, Heritage Day (aka Hometown Reunion) and the Holiday Home Tour.  Any gift would be greatly appreciated.  Remember all donations are tax deductible.  Thank you for your consideration.