Fort Laramie in Goshen County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Transcontinental Telegraph
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 2, 2015
1. Transcontinental Telegraph Markers
Transcontinental Telegraph
Between July 4 and October 24, 1861, a telegraph line was constructed by the Western Union Telegraph Co. between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, thereby completing the first high speed communication link between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. This service met the critical demand for fast communication between these two areas, this telegraph line operated until May, 1869, when it was replaced by a multi-wire system constructed with the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad lines.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
< Lower Marker : >
Fort Laramie
and
The Transcontinental Telegraph
The transcontinental telegraph reached Fort Laramie from the east on August 5, 1861. From then until May, 1869, Fort Laramie was a major station on the telegraph line. Soldiers from Fort Laramie protected the line, made repairs, and operated repeater stations from Julesburg, Colorado (150 miles to the east) to South Pass, Wyoming (300 miles to the west).
by the Denver section of the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
< Fort Laramie Marker : >
Fort Laramie
A military post of the frontier
June
this page online
This monument is erected by the State of Wyoming and a few interested residents
1913
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the IEEE Milestones in Electrical Engineering and Computing series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 24, 1861.
Location. 42° 12.233′ N, 104° 33.439′ W. Marker is in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, in Goshen County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 160, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located at Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Laramie WY 82212, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Laramie (here, next to this marker); The Pony Express (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Pony Express (a few steps from this marker); The Sutler’s House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sutler’s Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Bedlam (within shouting distance of this marker); A Father’s Grief . . . A Soldier’s Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Laramie National Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Laramie.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 2, 2015
2. Fort Laramie Marker
More about this marker. Markers are attached to a stone obelisk.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Fort Laramie National Historic Site. (Submitted on August 12, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Wikipedia entry. Excerpt:
Financially, the First Transcontinental Telegraph was a big success from the beginning. The charge during the first week of operation was a dollar a word [$30 today accounting for inflation], which was higher than the 30 cents specified by the Telegraph Act of 1860. The telegraph line immediately made the Pony Express obsolete, which officially ceased operations two days later. The overland telegraph line was operated until 1869, when it was replaced by a multi-line telegraph that had been constructed alongside the route of the First Transcontinental Railroad.(Submitted on October 17, 2020.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 2, 2015
3. Second Fort Laramie Marker
Of Historic Places -
Wyoming Place No. 13
Fort Laramie
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 2, 2015
4. Transcontinental Telegraph Monument
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 2, 2015
5. Transcontinental Telegraph Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 613 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 12, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
