Canadian Pacific Railway Reaches Pacific

June 26, 1885, saw the driving of the last spike on the Canadian Pacific Railway at Craigellachie, British Columbia, fulfilling Canada's dream of a coast-to-coast rail link. Led by Donald Smith and engineer Sandford Fleming, the project overcame immense Rocky Mountain engineering hurdles including tunnels and trestles using thousands of laborers. This connected eastern markets to western resources, enabling national unity post-Confederation. The CPR's steam locomotives like the 4-4-0s became iconic, and the line supported massive immigration and trade, with lasting economic impact still felt in modern Via Rail and freight operations.