Promontory Point, Utah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Promontory Point, Utah
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 Promontory Point, Utah
Location in Utah
Promontory Point, Utah
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Box Elder |
| Elevation | 4,219 ft (1,286 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1431484 |
Promontory Point is a fascinating ghost town in Box Elder County, Utah, United States. It is located about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) northeast of the actual cape (a piece of land sticking into the water) that shares its name.
What is Promontory Point?
Promontory Point is a small, quiet place today. It sits where the Lucin Cutoff railroad line crosses the eastern side of a peninsula. This peninsula is formed by the Promontory Mountains reaching into the northern part of the Great Salt Lake.
The Lucin Cutoff is a famous railroad shortcut. It passes about 1,250 feet (380 m) north of the cape. Then, it continues west for about 6.4 miles (10.3 km) to Saline. This is where the railroad line leaves the peninsula.
Promontory Point vs. Promontory Summit
It can be a bit confusing because two important places in Utah have similar names.
- Promontory Point refers to the ghost town and the cape.
- Promontory Summit is a different place. It is an unincorporated community located about 30 miles (48 km) north-northwest of Promontory Point.
Promontory Summit is very famous in American history. It is the exact spot where the First transcontinental railroad was completed. This happened on May 10, 1869. Workers drove the "Golden Spike" here, connecting the eastern and western parts of the United States by rail. This event was a huge step forward for travel and trade.
