National Register of Historic Places

Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline

West Glacier, Flathead County, Montana
Listed
April 3, 1996
Type
Site
Period
Listed
Ref No.
95001573

About this property

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. 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.

Location

West Glacier, Flathead County, Montana
48.84578, -114.21021

Categories

POLITICS/GOVERNMENTCOMMUNICATIONSENGINEERING
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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Geology
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Nearby Historic Sites

Bowman Lake Patrol Cabin
Industrial
1.5 mi
Numa Ridge Fire Lookout
Industrial
3 mi
Quartz Lake Patrol Cabin
Industrial
3.8 mi
Raftery, William, Homestead
Industrial
4.5 mi
Schoenberger, Anton, Homestead
Industrial
4.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline listed on the National Register?

Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 3, 1996.

What type of historic resource is Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline?

Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline?

The period of significance for Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline is recorded as the listed era.

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