In May 2000, the Western National Parks Association sponsored a research project aimed at conducting oral history interviews with six people who had knowledge relating to the history of the Golden Spike National Historical Site, such as early efforts to preserve and promote the site, and life and railroad operations in and around the old Promontory townsite. This project was carried out in a partnership between the Golden Spike NHS and the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies at Utah State University. Michael Johnson oversaw the project and Robert Sidford conducted the six interviews during the summer of 2003.

• The six candidates selected and interviewed were:
• Delone Glover, the longtime President of the Golden Spike Association who succeeded founder Berniece Gibbs Anderson.
• Deloris Larsen, a Promontory ranch wife who taught at the Promontory school, and is married to Merlin Larsen.
• Merlin Larsen, an area rancher who grew up at Promontory in the 1920s and lived near the park.
• Nathan Mazar, who headed the 1969 Golden Spike Centennial Celebration.
• John Stewart, a longtime member of the Golden Spike Association and re-enactment cast member who wrote The Iron Trail to Golden Spike.
• Arnold Whittaker, an area rancher who grew up at Promontory in the 1920s and operated a farm adjacent to the Park.