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Coordinates: 60°6′15″N 149°26′8″W / 60.10417°N 149.43556°W / 60.10417; -149.43556
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The '''Government Cable Office''' at 218 Sixth Street in [[Seward, Alaska|Seward]], [[Alaska]], [[United States]], is a historic building that served as a [[telegraph]] office that connected Seward with communications in the [[Contiguous United States|rest of the United States]].
The '''Government Cable Office''' at 218 Sixth Street in [[Seward, Alaska|Seward]], [[Alaska]], [[United States]], is a historic building that served as a [[telegraph]] office that connected Seward with communications in the [[Contiguous United States|rest of the United States]].


The cable office was constructed in 1905 by the [[Signal Corps (United States Army)|U.S. Army Signal Corps]] as part of the [[Alaska Communications System (ACS)|Washington–Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System]] (WAMCATS). Telegraph service from the lower states first connected to [[Valdez, Alaska]]. In summer 1905, [[Submarine communications cable|submarine cable]] was extended from Valdez to Seward.<ref name=city>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofseward.net/hpc/historic_properties/us_cable_office.shtml.htm |title=US Government Cable Office |publisher=Seward Historic Preservation Commission |accessdate=26 November 2009}}</ref>
The cable office was constructed in 1905 by the [[Signal Corps (United States Army)|U.S. Army Signal Corps]] as part of the [[Alaska Communications System (ACS)|Washington–Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System]] (WAMCATS). Telegraph service from the lower states first connected to [[Valdez, Alaska]]. In summer 1905, [[Submarine communications cable|submarine cable]] was extended from Valdez to Seward.<ref name=city>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofseward.net/hpc/historic_properties/us_cable_office.shtml.htm |title=US Government Cable Office |publisher=Seward Historic Preservation Commission |accessdate=26 November 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202032452/http://www.cityofseward.net/hpc/historic_properties/us_cable_office.shtml.htm |archivedate=2 February 2010 |df= }}</ref>


The first message over the line was to A. C. Frost, president of the [[Alaska Central Railway]], who was in [[Chicago]]: "This first message transmitted over Alaska Cable connects Seward from this day to the great city of Chicago." Among initial regular users of the [[electrical telegraph|telegraph line]] was the local newspaper, the ''Seward Daily Gateway''. In August 1905, owner [[Frank Ballaine]] began featuring the previous day's news from the [[Contiguous United States|Coterminous United States]] in his paper. Before the telegraph line, outside news arrived via [[steam ship]] days or weeks later.<ref name=city/>
The first message over the line was to A. C. Frost, president of the [[Alaska Central Railway]], who was in [[Chicago]]: "This first message transmitted over Alaska Cable connects Seward from this day to the great city of Chicago." Among initial regular users of the [[electrical telegraph|telegraph line]] was the local newspaper, the ''Seward Daily Gateway''. In August 1905, owner [[Frank Ballaine]] began featuring the previous day's news from the [[Contiguous United States|Coterminous United States]] in his paper. Before the telegraph line, outside news arrived via [[steam ship]] days or weeks later.<ref name=city/>

Revision as of 15:15, 23 March 2017

Government Cable Office
Government Cable Office is located in Alaska
Government Cable Office
Location218 6th Ave., Seward, Alaska
Coordinates60°6′15″N 149°26′8″W / 60.10417°N 149.43556°W / 60.10417; -149.43556
Arealess than one acre
Built1905
ArchitectUS Army Signal Corps
NRHP reference No.80004574[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 04, 1980

The Government Cable Office at 218 Sixth Street in Seward, Alaska, United States, is a historic building that served as a telegraph office that connected Seward with communications in the rest of the United States.

The cable office was constructed in 1905 by the U.S. Army Signal Corps as part of the Washington–Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System (WAMCATS). Telegraph service from the lower states first connected to Valdez, Alaska. In summer 1905, submarine cable was extended from Valdez to Seward.[2]

The first message over the line was to A. C. Frost, president of the Alaska Central Railway, who was in Chicago: "This first message transmitted over Alaska Cable connects Seward from this day to the great city of Chicago." Among initial regular users of the telegraph line was the local newspaper, the Seward Daily Gateway. In August 1905, owner Frank Ballaine began featuring the previous day's news from the Coterminous United States in his paper. Before the telegraph line, outside news arrived via steam ship days or weeks later.[2]

The office was operated by Army personnel. The front room of the building was open to the public who could send and receive messages. The central part of the ground floor served as the operator's station, while workers lived on the second floor. Service continued until an earthquake severed the line in 1934. By that time, radio communication had been established by the Navy and the telegraph line was not replaced. The government retained ownership until 1961. Since then, the building has served as a private residence and rented apartments.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "US Government Cable Office". Seward Historic Preservation Commission. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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