St. Joseph in Buchanan County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Transcontinental Telegraph
Electrical Engineering Milestone
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 29, 2011
1. Transcontinental Telegraph Marker
Between July 4 and October 24, 1861, a telegraph line was constructed by the Western Union Company between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, thereby completing the first high-speed communications line between the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. This service met the critical demand for fast communications between these areas. The telegraph line operated until May 1869, when it was replaced by a multi-wire system constructed with the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railway lines.
September 1992
Erected 1992 by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the IEEE Milestones in Electrical Engineering and Computing series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 39° 45.37′ N, 94° 50.704′ W. Marker is in St. Joseph, Missouri, in Buchanan County. Marker is on Penn Street near 12th Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is at the entrance to the Patee House Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1202 Penn Street, Saint Joseph MO 64503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Patee House (here, next to this marker); The Pony Express
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Excerpt from "Wiring a Continent". Telegraph History website entry (Submitted on September 22, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. This Day in History: Western Union completes the first transcontinental telegraph line. History website entry (Submitted on September 22, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. First transcontinental telegraph. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 27, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 29, 2011
2. Transcontinental Telegraph Marker
On the Patee House entrance portico.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 662 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 22, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
