Big Delta in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

WAMCATS

(Washington-Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024

1. WAMCATS Marker

Inscription.
WAMCATS provided communication between the military posts in Alaska and headquarters at Washington, D.C. The soldiers who built, manned and maintained the line persevered through adversity.

Link in the Chain
The Signal Corps constructed these buildings at McCarty after the Goodpaster station upriver was destroyed by fire in 1905. Its location on the Valdez to Fairbanks Trail made it easier to obtain supplies. The post once consisted of four buildings used for the telegraph station, soldiers' residences, and a stable. WAMCATS eventually carried more messages on behalf of civilians than the military, providing a vital link for the gold camps.

Well Strung
Constructing the telegraph line by hand and hauling supplies by packhorse and dog sled was hard work, especially because the line was built across a vast expanse of frontier territory. Crews had to clear a route, erect telegraph poles, and string 1,422 miles of cable to connect the military posts of Fort Liscum at Valdez, to Fort Davis at Nome, and all stations between.

Isolated Duty
Soldiers assigned to transfer telegraph messages and maintain line established stations

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like McCarty approximately 40 miles apart. A Signal Corps officer and two infantrymen, with incomes between $13 and $54 a month, staffed the stations. These soldiers lived under lonely, harsh conditions, being exposed to extreme weather and existing on limited rations.

"Modern" Amenities
Life at McCarty was difficult but as the territory grew [in population], conditions gradually improved. The men began acquiring amenities such as portable bathtubs, screens on doors and windows, and linoleum flooring. Digging a well for fresh water in 1910 became necessary after a typhoid fever outbreak the previous year.

[Photo captions, clockwise from top right, read]
• Lieutenant William "Billy" Mitchell (pictured above), Lieutenant George Gibbs and Captain George C. Brunnel oversaw construction of 1,422 miles of line stretching from southcentral to interior and western Alaska. Crews completed the project on June 27th, 1903.

• Fixture and corner pole on bluff at McCarty. The wire went across the Tanana River, 1911-1914

• McCarty Station

• Background: This construction crew is embarking from McCarty [balance is illegible in photo]

• The

WAMCATS Station and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024

2. WAMCATS Station and Marker

"Grizzly Gang" - This quartet of oldtimers cut many of the poles used in construction of the telegraph line.

Erected by Alaska State Parks and Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Military • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1903.

Location. 64° 9.284′ N, 145° 50.337′ W. Marker is in Big Delta in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska. It can be reached from Service Road. Marker and buildings are on the Big Delta State Historical Park grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 274.5 Richardson Highway (State Hwy 2), Delta Junction AK 99737, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Athabascan Region

and in Interior Alaska.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.

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

WAMCATS Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024

3. WAMCATS Building

this marker: Alaska Road Commission Outbuilding (a few steps from this marker); Mess Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Message in a Wire (within shouting distance of this marker); Telegraph Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Jack of all Trades (within shouting distance of this marker); Alaska Road Commission Garage (within shouting distance of this marker); Alaska Road Commission (within shouting distance of this marker); Spring House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Delta.

Also see . . .
1. WAMCATS linked Fairbanks to the rest of the world (Bonnell, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 2011). (Submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. 59th Signal Battalion (U.S. Army) History. (Submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024

4. WAMCATS Building

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024

5. WAMCATS Building

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024

6. WAMCATS Building

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 355 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.