Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline

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Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline
Polebridge-Numa Ridge Phoneline.jpg
Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline is located in Montana
Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline
LocationNorth Fork drainage, Polebridge to Numa Ridge, Glacier NP, West Glacier, Montana
Coordinates48°49′59″N 114°13′10″W / 48.83306°N 114.21944°W / 48.83306; -114.21944Coordinates: 48°49′59″N 114°13′10″W / 48.83306°N 114.21944°W / 48.83306; -114.21944
Built1927
ArchitectNational Park Service
MPSGlacier National Park MPS
NRHP reference No.95001573
Added to NRHPApril 04, 1996[1]

The Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline is a historic communications path in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The line was the last remaining single-line crank telephone network in the American West. The remaining line, insulators, and terminals are instructive of early communication technology. The system includes the remains of a single strand system using an earth ground. Wire was strung through ceramic insulators mounted on trees. Phone poles still stand in the meadow south of Kishenehn Ranger Station, and a phone remains in place at Bowman Lake.[2]

The line starts at Polebridge Ranger Station, passing Skyland Camp-Bowman Lake Ranger Station, then Numa Ridge Fire Lookout. The first sections were constructed in 1911, with additions to connect ranger stations through the 1930s. In later years, FM radio saw greater use and the extent of the phone system declined. The Polebridge-Numa line persisted until 1985, when it was officially shut down, although unofficial use continued through 1988.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ "Phoneline, Polebridge Ranger Station to Numa Ridge". List of Classified Structures. National Park Service. 2008-11-14.
  3. ^ Ann Hubber (June 1995). National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline (pdf). National Park Service.

External links[]

Media related to Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline at Wikimedia Commons

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