The Rock Island Trail

history of KT

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spiral on 1/1/2006 3:44:25 PM:

I just rode part of the KT for the first time, and I wondered if anyone knew any history about the old telephone/electric poles that survive in places along the western edge of the trail. I was a bit fascinated with them.

Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 1/2/2006 12:06:32 PM:

Quite typical in Missouri and probably other states as well, with new technology to protect human life and the integrity of live lines, as new transmission and distribution lines were added.....the old defunct poles were simply abandoned. They are of little value other than perhaps an insulator that has missed being shot and broken by an irresponsible gun owner. Those are rare and not worth much other than knowing that you have one. They do serve to remind of days gone by.....simpler times.

gc from Columbia, Mo on 1/3/2006 12:11:19 AM:

My Dad was a pole lineman for the Wabash in the late '40s and '50s. He tells me that when they replaced poles from time to time then, that the poles often were dated back to the 1880s. So yes, those poles can get pretty old. There a quite a few all along the trail, I am sure. I know there are some in Mid-Mo.

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