'Last spike' unveiled in Calgary

The Canadian Museum of Civilizationdisplayed a piece of Canadian history in Calgary Thursday.

It recently acquired the "last spike"a symbol of the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885.

Museum curator David Morrison says the spike was unveiled in Calgary because of what it represents.

"We thought that this is an object and an event that resonates best and most specifically with Calgary and Alberta," he said.

"Without the CPR, Alberta would not exist as a province, neither would Saskatchewan, British Columbiawould have never joined Confederation and of course the headquarters of the CPR is here in Calgary."

The silver spike is now on its way to its permanent home at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.