Researchers seeking stories of Transcontinental Railroad workers

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

The National Park Service is looking for descendants of Irish workers who built or were otherwise affiliated with the Transcontinental Railroad. 

As part of a study of the peoples and cultures associated with the Golden Spike National Historic Park, researchers are hoping to gather histories, stories or traditions associated with the time when the park was being constructed. They are also seeking to speak with descendants of African American and Chinese American workers, as well as those from ranching communities associated with The Church of Latter-day Saints.

The project began this spring and is expected to go for another two or three years.

One of the primary research interests is “to give underrepresented groups the chance to tell their/your stories in relation to the Golden Spike National Historic Park,” Rebecca L. Austin from Fort Lewis College in Colorado, an anthropologist who is the project’s principal investigator, said in a statement.

“If your family or your community group have some long-standing relationship with the park or the TCRR, we would like to interview you,” she said. “We are particularly interested in your families’ and communities’ histories and stories associated with the time of the construction of the GOSP. We are also seeking information that would help us identify plants, animals, water sources, minerals, features, viewsheds, archaeology sites, and other physical traits within the park that are relevant to cultural heritage of the four groups who are the primary focus of this study.”

The National Park Service “uses these kinds of materials for interpretive materials and management of cultural and natural resources in the park,” she explained.

Study organizers would like to speak by phone or video with anyone who might have information about these people or any later cultural association with the park they had. For information or to schedule an intervew, call Dr. Rebecca Austin at  970-403-7819 or 970-247-7346, or email austin_r@fortlewis.edu.