Back before fiber optic communication lines AT&T had a nationwide network of microwave towers that relay long distance calls across our country. These towers were build to a high standard, capable of surviving a close nuclear blast and remain operational. They had generators, water, sleeping quarters and were pretty cool little tech centers for their time.
A few weeks ago I was coming back from Spokane and stopped at Sprague,WA to get gas. Up on a hillside north of the town was a group of towers- one of them an old AT&T long lines tower. I headed up to check it out. At the end of a service road is a gate that restricts further access.;)
These towers have not been operational for microwave use for some time. American Tower purchased many of the old towers and refitted them with cellular antennas. You might see these towers when you are driving around, they have the distinctive microwave “horns” at the top. ;)
It would be neat to get closer to check out the “bunker” at the base of the tower, but these days jumping fences into restricted areas is not something I recommend, even if just for a look around. It was neat to just take a break and grab a couple pictures.
A couple links on the old AT&T long lines system:
AT&T Long Lines Towers Remembered
AT&T Long Lines Newspaper Stories
© 2009, Bill Gillam. All rights reserved.