Rocky Point State Park in Warwick in Kent County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Presidential Phone Call
| | Rocky Point Park Pathways Project | |
On the 29th of June, in the year 1877, the first Presidential phone call was made between Rutherford B. Hayes who was at Rocky Point and Alexander Graham Bell in Providence. Mr. Fred Gower, the managing agent of Professional Bell, moderated the call. The instrument resembled rather large-sized bobbin.
"Mr. President, I am duly sensible of the great honor conferred upon me in thus for the first time presenting the speaking telephone to the attention of the President of the United States." The President listened carefully while a gradually increasing smile wreathed his lips, and wonder shone in his eyes more and more, until he took the little [unreadable]
Fun Fact: The first presidential phone call was spoken through 13 miles of wire from City Hotel in Providence to Rocky Point.
Erected by Leadership Rhode Island; the City of Warwick, Rhode Island.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #19 Rutherford B. Hayes series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1877.
Location. 41° 41.361′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Providence and on Narragansett Bay. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Shore Dinner Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pier (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Larry Mouradjian Fishing Pier (about 300 feet away); The Circle Swing (about 300 feet away); Rocky Point and Baseball (about 400 feet away); House of Horrors
More about this marker. Unfortunately, the marker has weathered significantly and is partially unreadable.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 577 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
