Golden Spike Chapter, NSDAR, was organized in October 1919 in Ogden, Utah. The chapter was named to honor the 150th anniversary of the driving of the golden spike, which joined the Transcontinental Railroad at nearby Promontory Summit in 1869.
In the October 1921 issue of the Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, the Golden Spike Chapter, NSDAR, secretary wrote,
“The Golden Spike Chapter (Ogden, Utah) was organized in October, 1919. The year 1919 was the fiftieth anniversary of the completion of the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads, and on May 10th of that year, 1869, the Golden Spike was driven at Corrine, Utah, a small town near Ogden, which connected the East with the West. In commemoration of this–the most important railroad wedding in the world–. . . we selected this name.”
The Golden Spike Chapter, NSDAR, became Utah’s second DAR chapter at an organizational meeting October 31, 1919, when Clara Boreman Carver was chosen as the first chapter regent; the chapter was officially organized on December 8, 1919, and chartered on January 1, 1920.
The 1921 article continues,
“On September 23, 1920, a State Society for Utah was organized. . . , which included the Golden Spike Chapter of Ogden, and the Spirit of Liberty Chapter of Salt Lake City. . . On March 29, 1921, the first State Conference convened in Ogden, at the Weber Club. . . ” For years, state conferences alternated between Salt Lake City and Ogden.
First Chapter Officers:
Jessie Gaddis Barber – Vice Regent
Miss Nancy Abbey Williams – Recording and Corresponding Secretary
Leota Kennedy Hutsinpillar – Registrar
Mary A Weamer McGee – Treasurer
Golden Spike Chapter, NSDAR, has a proud history of local, community and national service. Through the past century we have donated flags in the community, encouraged proper flag display, assisted in Courts of Naturalization, and promoted awareness of the U.S. Constitution through annual observances of Constitution Week. We worked with the Red Cross on wartime projects. The chapter raised funds for 1,000 seedling trees to reforest ten acres at Snowbasin in the 1950s.
For many years the chapter conducted oratory and American History Essay Contests and presented DAR Good Citizens Awards. We have helped children learn to read, presented Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) medals, donated books and DAR magazines to libraries and the VA Medical Center, and donated items to the Ogden Homeless Veterans Fellowship.
When the George E. Wahlen Veterans Nursing Home was built in Ogden in 2009, the Golden Spike Chapter, NSDAR, donated funds to furnish a room, and we frequently visit and donate items for the veterans. We participate in the annual Veterans Day Parades. We have participated in Utah Honor Flight ceremonies and sponsored a World War II veteran on a flight. The chapter proudly acted as a Commemorative Partner in the Department of Defense’s commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, and we have welcomed home Vietnam veterans with Pinning Ceremonies. We partner with Wreaths Across America and participate in placing wreaths on veteran graves. Partnering with Quilts of Valor, we have made and presented several quilts to veterans. We partnered with the Weber Heritage Foundation to restore the Doughboy Monument in the Ogden City Cemetery which was rededicated in November 2018.
Golden Spike Chapter, NSDAR, has presented Community Service Awards, a Conservation Medal, and Women in American History Awards to recognize deserving members of our community.
We participate in Utah State Society, NSDAR, and National Society programs by regularly donating food pantry items, clothing, and Christmas packages to veterans and deployed troops, cash and school supplies to American Indian schools, and requested items to American military personnel and programs.