Abilene in Dickinson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
United Building
Built 1887
Completed in 1903, this building once was owned by T.E. Dewey and was known as the Brady Building. In 1904, following a disastrous flood, the building was sold to Cleyson L. Brown, Abilene entrepreneur whose many enterprises provided employment for one-fourth of the community's breadwinners.
The building was known as the Brown Building until 1911 when the Brown Telephone Company, which maintained its switching center at this location, absorbed its local competitor, the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company, and became the United Telephone Company. Thereafter, the building was called the United Building until its sale in 1966 to the J.B. Ehrsam and Sons Manufacturing Company.
Meanwhile, the financial empire of C.L. Brown toppled with his death in 1935, and Southwestern Bell Telephone Company became the sole vendor of telephone services in Abilene. A part of Brown's confederation survived, however, and emerged from receivership in 1939 as United Utilities, Incorporated. Subsequently headquartered in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, the company grew to become the nation's third largest telephone system under a new name, United Telecommunications, Inc.
Erected 1976 by Abilene Bicentennial Project. (Marker Number 3.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 38° 55.046′ N, 97° 13.004′ W. Marker is in Abilene, Kansas, in Dickinson County. Marker is at the intersection of NW 3rd Street and Cedar Street, on the right when traveling west on NW 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 NW 3rd Street, Abilene KS 67410, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hotel Sunflower (within shouting distance of this marker); Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Dwight David Eisenhower (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Pacific Depot (about 500 feet away); Texas Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 301-309 North Buckeye Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away); Texas Cattle Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); D. G. Smith Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abilene.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. C.L. Brown and his Affect on Abilene, Kansas. (Submitted on November 14, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Brief History of United Telecommunications. (Submitted on November 14, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 579 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.