Few People Know Utah Is Where The First Transcontinental Telegraph Line Was Completed
By Courtnie Erickson|Published April 17, 2023
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Utah is certainly a unique state with a unique history. From the pioneers to the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in Promontory Point, there are many big moments in history that not only affect the lives of us here in Utah, but those around the country as well. In fact, few people know that the Beehive State was the location of something big — something that changed the country forever. The completion of the first transcontinental telegraph line was here in Utah.
The transcontinental telegraph was a telegraph line that connected California to the existing telegraph network in the eastern United States. It allowed communication to occur almost immediately, whereas, before the line's completion, it could take weeks for news from the east coast to reach the West.
The construction of the transcontinental telegraph was no simple task and it was considered a major engineering feat. Several companies submitted bids to construct this historic line but each one ended up withdrawing their bids except for the Western Union Company.
Two telegraph companies were then created to help construct the line on behalf of Western Union Company. California’s Overland Telegraph Company was to complete the line from Carson City, Nevada, which was the easternmost point on California’s small network. Nebraska’s Pacific Telegraph Company was organized to complete a line from Omaha, Nebraska to Salt Lake City.
In July of 1861, work began on both sides. Crews from both companies worked quickly as there were wagers placed on which group would reach Salt Lake City first. Approximately three to eight miles of telegraph lines were installed each day.
This wasn’t easy work. Obtaining supplies was difficult and hundreds of oxen were needed to haul these supplies. Even individuals in Salt Lake City were asked to assist by supplying the poles for a large majority of the telegraph route.
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On October 24, 1861, the transcontinental telegraph was officially completed in Salt Lake City. The Pacific Telegraph Company arrived first with the Overland Telegraph Company just a few days behind.
On the evening of October 24, Brigham Young sent the first telegraph to H.W. Carpentier, President of the Overland Telegraph Company in San Francisco. The first telegraph message sent across the country was by Stephen J. Field, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, in Sacramento to President Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C.
The above image shows the monument placed in downtown Salt Lake City near the former telegraph office.
Did you know the completion of the first transcontinental railroad was here in Utah? What other fun facts do you know about Utah? Share them with us in the comments! And, if you want to learn even more about the Beehive State, check out these quirky facts about Utah that sound made up but are 100 percent accurate.
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