Telegraph stations were facilities used in the 19th and early 20th centuries to send and receive messages via the telegraph system. These stations were equipped with Morse code machines, which converted messages into electrical signals that traveled over wires. Operators at these stations would transmit and decode messages, connecting distant locations quickly. The establishment of telegraph stations played a crucial role in communication, especially for businesses and governments. They enabled rapid information exchange, which was vital during events like the American Civil War and the expansion of the railroad network. As technology advanced, telegraph stations eventually became less common with the rise of telephone and internet communication.