The Collins Overland Telegraph Trail was constructed in 1865-1866 for pack mules and horses to carry supplies for the Western Union (Collins) Telegraph Line. Following the ancient trade route of the Carrier people, it reached northward as far as the Kispiox and Nangeese river junction. The Collins Overland Telegraph Trail (also known as the Russian–American Telegraph) was conceived and promoted by Perry McDonough Collins, an American entrepreneur, in the 1860s. Backed by Hiram Sibley of the Western Union Telegraph Company, it aimed to link America and Europe via British Columbia, Alaska, and Siberia.
- Construction Supervision:Â Colonel Charles S. Bulkley was hired to manage the overall construction, while Captain Edmund Conway commanded the British Columbia division.
- Purpose:Â To connect North America to Europe through a land-based telegraph line rather than an underwater cable.
- Outcome:Â Construction ceased in 1867 after a successful Trans-Atlantic cable was completed, though the route became a vital, partially abandoned trail used for northern gold rushes.
The trail runs through British Columbia, with remnants often preserved, such as the section maintained by Dwight Dodge and others since 1953.
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