Go ask Alice….if Russia is coming. Talk about an apocalyptic trip down memory lane. Last night we visited the last remaining physical remnant of a communication system the military installed in the 1950’s – White Alice Communications (WACs). There were dozens of these structures, each about 200 miles away from one another to transmit notice that Russian bombs were heading our way.

This site of 4 large antennas, affectionately called Nomehenge by locals, played a very important role in civilian communications. In the early days of Nome it would take 1 year (yes, one entire year) to get information across the country to Washington D.C. In the early days, dog mushing was involved. When these things were installed in the 1950’s it just cost a boatload of money to make a long-distance call to the lower 48. Progress. Now if I could just get my Verizon cell phone to work here.

These controversial sites made using asbestos, lead paint, and fluids that put harmful PCB’s into the ground were retired 20-years later when satellite communications hit the scene in the 70’s. Now the 60-foot antennas are used as a navigational aid….and a poignant reminder of life with hostilities at your border.