Posted by Dave Thewlis on October 23, 2007 at 20:53:28 from 75.111.50.119 user dthewlis.
In Reply to: Re: Signal Stations posted by Peter H on October 22, 2007 at 21:01:40:
Telegraph Hill in San Francisco is so named because during the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s there was a very large telegraph with adjustable arms built on it. It was used to signal the arrival of ships into port to people living in the surrounding areas, including the type of ship and origin, presumably with different positions of the arms for different possibilities (although I've never come across a table of meanings like AR's WH templates).
There is a probably apocryphal story about a melodrama being performed in about 1850 in San Francisco where the hero falls on his knees, throws his arms wide, and says" My Darling What Does This Mean?"
To which the audience roared, "Sidewheel steamer from Sacramento!"