Alamogordo in Otero County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Concrete Telephone Booth
Photographed by James Hulse, June 25, 2024
1. Concrete Telephone Booth Marker
This telephone booth weighing approximately 3000 pounds contained a no-dial telephone, directly connecting a caller to a railroad dispatcher/operator. The phone booth was locked to prevent vandalism and other problems. It was constructed in the 1930's. The train crew could just pick up the receiver and push the button to communicate with the dispatcher. These booths were placed near railroad tracks for use by signal maintainers, right of way workers, and train crews. Train dispatcher sent orders as to when and how far to move their train. Use of railroad radios in the early 1970's made telephones and booths obsolete in the early 1980's.
Erected 2023 by Tularosa Basin Historical Society and Mike Tekell, Better IT Services. (Marker Number 162.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Railroads & Streetcars.
Location. 32° 54.007′ N, 105° 57.685′ W. Marker is in Alamogordo, New Mexico, in Otero County. It is at the intersection of North White Sands Boulevard and East 10th Street, on the left when traveling north on North
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Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Alamogordo Airborne Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo Soldier (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roadrunner Emporium (about 700 feet away); To All Veterans (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Roadrunner Emporium (approx. 0.2 miles away); Commission for the Blind Orientation Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (approx. 0.9 miles away); German Air Force Tornado 45+11 (approx. 2.7
Photographed by James Hulse, June 25, 2024
2. The Concrete Telephone Booth and Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, June 25, 2024
3. The view of the Concrete Telephone Booth and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
