Telegraph Insulators

The Collins Overland Telegraph Company was chartered to construct a telegraph line from New Westminster, British Columbia to the north west. In September 14, 1865, 435 miles of line had been strung to Quesnel. Construction continued, but was eventually halted after the Atlantic cable had been run in July 1866. However, the line from New Westminster to Quesnel was kept open.
It is believed that all the insulators used during the 1865 construction were CD 735 Tillotson and Chesters threadless insulators. Tillotsons were used from New Westminster until about 20 miles N.W. of Quesnel when they switched over to Chesters for the rest of the distance. Generally the Tillotson insulators are found in the typical blue-green aqua colors, but there have also been some spectacular colors found. A number of these are shown below.


Light Green, Amber and Green CD 735 Tillotsons

Green, Blue and Yellow Green CD 735 Tillotsons

Aqua CD 735 Chester

More information about insulators can be found at the Glass Insulators Reference Site.