Contrary to common belief, the Chatham site was not built as a replacement to the failed Marconi station in Wellfleet.

With the outbreak of World War I, the Marconi company was unable to complete construction of the Chatham station.

April of 1921, Chatham Radio began high seas radiotelegraph service and became the premier ship to shore station in the United States, serving mariners of the world for over 7 decades.

After WW II, a new transmitter facility was built at Forest Beach in South Chatham.

Due to the requirement that all ships have satellite service by the summer of 1997, the station closed in July of 1997.