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. 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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Telegraph Office & School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old School and Telegraph Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Stockton (approx. 0.3

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miles away); Pecos County World War II Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pecos County's Contribution 1917 - to the World War - 1919 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oldest House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pecos County Korea and Vietnam Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Oldest House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Stockton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Courthouse, Jail and Zero Stone (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

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

The view of the First Telephone Exchange Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

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 357 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.