Details for First Telephone Exchange

Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5371001875

Data

Marker Number 1875
Atlas Number 5371001875
Marker Title First Telephone Exchange
Index Entry First Telephone Exchange
Address 610 Callaghan
City Fort Stockton
County Pecos
UTM Zone 13
UTM Easting 702135
UTM Northing 3418642
Subject Codes communications
Marker Year 1975
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark No
Marker Location 610 Callaghan (corner of Callaghan & Butz St.) Ft. Stockton
Private Property No
Marker Condition In Situ
Marker Size 18" x 28"
Marker Text The Pecos County commissioners authorized E. W. Bennett (1858-1933) to establish Ft. Stockton's First Telephone service in May 1909. The switchboard, operated by Bennett's daughter, Zetta, was located in a room attached to this adobe house, where the Bennetts lived. The wires connected with Ft. Stockton's 200 phone subscribers with Ozona, where Bennett's sons, John and Will, ran the family's telephone exchange. Lines were later strung to other towns, completing this vital communication link. The Ft. Stockton Exchange became part of Southwestern Bell Telephone System in 1928.

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