Sidney Dillon

Sidney Dillon (May 7, 1812 – June 9, 1892 ) was an American railroad executive and one of the US's premier railroad builders.

Early life Dillon was born in Northampton, Fulton County, New York.

Career Sidney Dillon began his career in the industry working as a water boy on the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, one of America's earliest railroads, for its construction from Albany to Schenectady, New York. of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, receiving one of the ceremonial silver spikes used to complete the project.

His spike was a blended iron, silver, and gold spike, supplied by the Arizona Territory, engraved: Ribbed with iron clad in silver and crowned with gold Arizona presents her offering to the enterprise that has banded a continent and dictated a pathway to commerce. This spike was given to Union Pacific president, Oliver Ames, following the ceremony. The spike was donated to the Museum of the City of New York Florence Dillon Wyckoff Whitney (1877-1960) in 1943. It was, for a time, on display at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Museum of the city of New York sold the spike in January 2023, via auction, to benefit other items in its collection. The winning bid totaled million

Cora A. Dillon, who married Dr. Peter B. Wyckoff in 1875. Julia E. ("Julie") Dillon, who married Josiah Dwight Ripley on May 28, 1862. After his death, she married Gilman Smith Moulton on March 1, 1894.

Dillon died at his home at 23 West 57th Street in New York City, after a twelve-week illness, at the age of 80.

Legacy Dillon, Montana is named for him as it was an early terminus for the railroad. Sidney, Nebraska is also named for him. Nevada Central Railroad Engine #2 was named for him. The engine was later purchased by Ward Kimball, who named it the "Emma Nevada" and later donated it to the Southern California Railway Museum. Nevada Central RR No. 2, the "Sidney Dillon," ca 1881. This engine is now the "Emma Nevada" at the Southern California Railway Museum.