In 1874 Barnard won the government contract to build the Edmonton to Cache Creek section of the new transcontinental telegraph line (all telegraph communications between BC and the outside world had until then gone through the United States).
In 1874, Barnard was awarded a government contract to build the Edmonton to Cache Creek section of the transcontinental telegraph line. This project marked a significant development as it allowed for direct communication between British Columbia and the outside world without relying on the United States.