Medicine Bow Radio, Wyoming (date unknown)

Construction started in 1929 and was completed in 1930.  According to the Aircraft Year Book, this site was the last station constructed to complete the entire NYC-SFO Low Frequency Range system.  The building in this photo is very solid. It’s two rooms, one for living quarters and the other, a much smaller room, contained the radio gear and later in history, teletype.  It was heated with a coal stove and electric power was supplied locally to operate the electrical equipment.  In case of power failure a 550 gallon fuel tank (missing) supplied fuel to run a generator. The fuel tank was normally located between the caretakers quarters (above building) and the beacon tower.

Historical note:  The Union Pacific Railroad is very close and Highway 30, the first to connect the Midwest with the West is 1 1/2 miles away.  The Overland Trail from the 1800’s is very close and of course this Low Frequency Airway.  They all converge at this point!

Photos and information submitted by Steve Wolff, Laramie, Wyoming