Corktown in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The First Telephone Exchange in the British Empire

Photographed By Tim Boyd, August 4, 2023

1. The First Telephone Exchange in the British Empire Marker

Inscription. On this site was established in March 1878 by Hugh Cossart Baker the first telephone exchange in the British Empire

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1878.

Location. 43° 15.313′ N, 79° 52.162′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Corktown. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street East and James Street South, on the right when traveling east on Main Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 Main Street East, Hamilton ON L8N 1E8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Paul’s Church (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church / L’église Presbytérienne St. Paul (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); George Hamilton 1787-1836 (about 150 meters away); The United Empire Loyalists (about 150 meters away); The Official Birthplace of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club (about 180 meters away); The City of Hamilton Cenotaph (about 180 meters away); Whitehern (about 180 meters away); The Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Also see . . . Workercity.ca - Bell Telephone Exchange. In 1878, Hamilton became home to the first telephone

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exchange in the British Empire. The company’s first Hamilton office operated out of four cramped rooms on the top floor of the Hamilton Provident and Loan building, at the corner of King and Hughson Streets. (Submitted on October 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Additional commentary.
1.
This marker is in fact not at the exact site of the first telephone exchange, but is at a later Bell Telephone building from 1913. The original location is around the corner about 200 metres away. The original building on that site is now demolished.

— Submitted October 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.

Photographed By Tim Boyd, August 4, 2023

2. The First Telephone Exchange in the British Empire Marker

The Hamilton Provident and Loan building, King and Hughson Street image. Click for full size.

3. The Hamilton Provident and Loan building, King and Hughson Street

Site of the first telephone exchange in the British Empire (demolished)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.