Telegraph dedication, semaphore lighting Saturday

The Ritzville Depot Museum will hold an official dedication of the telegraph and signal line pole as well as lighting and operating of the Northern Pacific Railway Semaphore signal that originally came from Northern Pacific’s industrial siding at Beatrice between Lind and Connell.

The event will take place on Oct. 18 at 10 a.m.

The signal belonged to Dick Wiggin who worked as a signal maintainer for Northern Pacific and Burlington Northern. He was going to restore it and display it at his home.

He passed away before he was able to accomplish the project. Family members Jim and Cheryl Haase of Lind donated the item together with other historic railway items.

The restoration of the signal was a community effort and all who contributed will be honored at the event.

The list of contributors to be honored includes: Darrell Evens; Stan Allan; Big Bend Electric Co-op Members: Mike Steinberger, Ben Russell and Jason Miller; Ritzville City Public Works Department members Larry Swift and David Breazalle; from Connell Sand and Gravel Chris Lathin; and many more.

Following the lighting and operation of the semaphore cake and beverages will be served to those in attendance. The public is welcome to attend the event.