Corinne in Box Elder County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Transforming Communication: from Coast to Coast

Photographed By Andrew Johnson, October 21, 2018

1. Transforming Communication: from Coast to Coast Marker

Crews install telegraph poles and wires in nearby Weber Canyon. The telegraph was instrumental in communicating supply needs for the construction efforts of the railroad.

Inscription.

Transforming Communication: from Coast to Coast. . Not only did the Railroad Act of 1862 lay out a grand plan of connecting the continent by rail, but the legislation called for a communication transformation as well. A telegraph line was to be strung along the transcontinental route ushering in an era of instant communication from coast to coast. , , For four years, Americans closely followed the progress of the Pacific Railroad in their newspapers, anxious to see it completed. By May of 1869, intense attention was focused on this desolate corner of northern Utah. The entire country was eager for the word that the last spike had been driven. , , Through the miracle of electricity and a tiny copper wire a telegraph signal triggered a truly transcontinental extravaganza. , , As the word went out over the wires, the nation went wild. In city after city, church bells rang, trains hooted, fire engines howled, gongs clanged, and canons thundered. Citizens thronged to the streets to watch parades. People sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,” prayed, and shouted themselves hoarse. Countless orators hailed this as “great day” of national destiny. , , At the tracks a hundred yards ahead, you may stand where the signal was sent that ushered in an era of unimagined promise for the United States. , , Omaha Telegraph (to all Western Union stations:) , TO EVERYBODY: KEEP QUIET. WHEN THE LAST SPIKE IS DRIVEN…WE WILL SAY DONE. DON'T BREAK THE CIRCUIT, BUT WATCH FOR THE BLOWS OF THE HAMMER. , , Promontory Telegraph , ALMOST READY. HATS OFF. PRAYER IS BEING OFFERED. , , Chicago Telegraph , WE UNDERSTAND. ALL ARE READY IN THE EAST. , , Promontory Telegraph , ALL READY NOW. THE SPIKE WILL SOON BE DRIVEN. THE SIGNAL WILL BE THREE DOTS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BLOWS. , , Promontory Telegraph , TO GENERAL U.S.GRANT PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. WASHINGTON D.C. SIR: WE HAVE THE HONOR TO REPORT THE LAST RAIL LAID AND THE LAST SPIKE DRIVEN. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD IS FINISHED. LELAND STANFORD, THOMAS C. DURANT

Not only did the Railroad Act of 1862 lay out a grand plan of connecting the continent by rail, but the legislation called for a communication transformation as well. A telegraph line was to be strung along the transcontinental route ushering in an era of instant communication from coast to coast.

For four years, Americans closely followed the progress of the Pacific Railroad in their newspapers, anxious to see it completed. By May of 1869, intense attention was focused on this desolate corner of northern Utah. The entire country was eager for the word that the last spike had been driven.

Through the miracle of electricity and a tiny copper wire a telegraph signal triggered a truly transcontinental extravaganza.

As the word went out over the wires, the nation went wild. In city after city, church bells rang, trains hooted, fire engines howled, gongs clanged, and canons thundered. Citizens thronged to the streets to watch parades. People sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,” prayed, and shouted themselves hoarse. Countless orators hailed this as “great day” of national destiny.

At the tracks a hundred yards ahead, you may stand where the signal was sent that ushered in an era of unimagined promise for the United States.

Omaha Telegraph (to all Western Union stations:)
TO

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EVERYBODY: KEEP QUIET. WHEN THE LAST SPIKE IS DRIVEN…WE WILL SAY DONE. DON'T BREAK THE CIRCUIT, BUT WATCH FOR THE BLOWS OF THE HAMMER.

Promontory Telegraph
ALMOST READY. HATS OFF. PRAYER IS BEING OFFERED.

Chicago Telegraph
WE UNDERSTAND. ALL ARE READY IN THE EAST.

Promontory Telegraph
ALL READY NOW. THE SPIKE WILL SOON BE DRIVEN. THE SIGNAL WILL BE THREE DOTS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BLOWS.

Promontory Telegraph
TO GENERAL U.S.GRANT PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. WASHINGTON D.C. SIR: WE HAVE THE HONOR TO REPORT THE LAST RAIL LAID AND THE LAST SPIKE DRIVEN. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD IS FINISHED. LELAND STANFORD, THOMAS C. DURANT

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1869.

Location. 41° 37.05′ N, 112° 33.06′ W. Marker is in Corinne, Utah, in Box Elder County. Marker is on Golden Spike Road (22000 West Road) near 6400 North Road. The marker is located near the back entrance of the Golden Spike Visitors Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corinne UT 84307, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker.

Photographed By Andrew Johnson, October 21, 2018

2. Transforming Communication: from Coast to Coast Marker

A replica telegraph pole and wires is visible in the background.

Last Spike Driven (here, next to this marker); Evolution of Rail (here, next to this marker); Original Rail (a few steps from this marker); Competition 1869 (a few steps from this marker); Irish Monument (a few steps from this marker); Golden Spike (a few steps from this marker); The Southern Pacific Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Tyng Mather (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corinne.

Additional keywords. Golden Spike National Historic Site

Replica Telegraph Poles and Wires image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Johnson, October 21, 2018

3. Replica Telegraph Poles and Wires

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2018, by Andrew Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah. This page has been viewed 355 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2018, by Andrew Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.