Mount Joy Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Early Telegraph

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, February 24, 2008

1. Early Telegraph Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

First commercial telegraph line in the U.S. ran along this railroad right-of-way. Completed from Lancaster to Harrisburg, 1845. The first message, "Why don't you write, you rascals?", was received, Jan. 8, 1846.

Erected 1947 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Notable Events • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 8, 1846.

Location. 40° 7.332′ N, 76° 32.569′ W. Marker is near Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. It is in Mount Joy Township. Marker is on Old Harrisburg Pike, half a mile west of Snyder Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy PA 17552, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Florin (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Witness Tree (approx. 1.9 miles away); Donegal Presbyterian Church (approx.

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1.9 miles away); a different marker also named Donegal Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Witness Tree Monument (approx. 1.9 miles away); Old Standby Park (approx. 1.9 miles away); Central Hotel (approx. 2.2 miles away); Honor Roll (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Joy.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, December 15, 2020

2. Early Telegraph Marker

Railroad tracks paralleling the Susquehanna River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, February 24, 2008

3. Railroad tracks paralleling the Susquehanna River.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,556 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 16, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on February 24, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.