High School Field Trip to Alaska Communication Service Office, April 1955

Paulu T. Saari

Sgt. First Class Kenneth L. Christiansen, US Army Signal Corps, reviews the history, organization and mission of the Alaska Communication System for a group of Kayhi students. ACS was established by the Army in 1900 to provide telegraph (and later, radio) communications in Alaska. The system was used by civilians, as well as the military. During the 1950s, the office was located in the Ryus Block, on the water side of Front Street, between Mission and Dock Streets. In 1971 the government sold ACS to private interests, and it became RCA Alascom.

Ketchikan Museums: Paulu T. Saari Collection, KM 2003.2.63.839