Fort Stockton in Pecos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Telephone Exchange
Photographed By James Hulse, July 3, 2022
1. First Telephone Exchange Marker
Inscription.
First Telephone Exchange. . 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 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.
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 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.
Erected 1975 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1875.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1909.
Location. 30° 53.019′ N, 102° 53.133′ W. Marker is in Fort Stockton, Texas, in Pecos County. Marker is at the intersection of West Callaghan Street and South Butz Street, on the right when traveling west on West Callaghan Street. The marker is located on Butz street in front of the house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 610 West Callaghan Street, Fort Stockton TX 79735, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Telephone Service. Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on July 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, July 3, 2022
2. First Telephone Exchange Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, July 3, 2022
3. The view of the First Telephone Exchange Marker from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
