Ward Two in Somerville in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Mommy, What Did People Do Before Cell Phones?

Photographed by Marc Posner, July 3, 2024

1. Mommy, What Did People Do Before Cell Phones? Marker

Inscription.
1877. The first telephone line in the world was installed in Somerville, at the corner of Lincoln and Arlington Streets. It connected the residence of Charles Williams, Jr. with his electrical shop in Boston - where inventor Alexander Graham Bell had rented some space and finally perfected the device. Williams promptly sold his former business - which produced "fire alarm telegraphs," street alarms to warn of a fire - and began manufacturing Bell's telephone.

Erected by City of Somerville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 42° 23.015′ N, 71° 6.518′ W. Marker is in Somerville, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Ward Two. It is at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Bleachery Court, on the right when traveling east on Somerville Avenue. Located in Conway Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 Somerville Ave, Somerville MA 02143, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Boston and specifically in Greater Boston.

It is also

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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 marker: Where Did Somerville Get Its Name? (here, next to this marker); Anthony (Tony) Lavelli, Jr. (here, next to this marker); The Quietman Makes Some Noise / Taking the Gloves Off (here, next to this marker); It's All Downhill from Here (here, next to this marker); Spinning Wheels (a few steps from this marker); Conway Park (a few steps from this marker); Colors of Defiance / From a Powdered Wig to the Powder House (a few steps from this marker); A River Runs Through It. No, Really? / One Farm, Ten Hills, 600 Ships (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Somerville.

Photographed by Marc Posner, July 3, 2024

2. Mommy, What Did People Do Before Cell Phones? Marker

Back of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marc Posner, July 3, 2024

3. Back of Marker

Sample fabric from the Middlesex Bleachery and Dye Works pattern book, 1880’s courtesy of the Somerville Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.