Arley in Winston County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Party Line - The “Talking Machine”

Historic Corner

By Tim & Renda Carr, May 29, 2011

1. The Party Line - The “Talking Machine” Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Here was located the switchboard known as “Central”, of Winston Telephone, Arley’s Grand Old Party Line. Built about 1909 by Mimm Wright, with an estimated maximum of 25 phones, she was the pulse of the community. When one phone rang, they all rang; and everybody “listened in”. The system died piece-meal, as she was built, and breathed her last about 1920. Also housed here was one of the earliest known phonographs in the community, owned by Ed Baldwin. People walked for miles to listen to “Uncle Josh”, “Casey Jones”, and “The Preacher and the Bear”. Those were the days!

Erected 1978 by The Arley Community Historical Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 34° 3.848′ N, 87° 13.333′ W. Marker is in Arley, Alabama, in Winston County. Marker is at the intersection of County Route 41 and Mellville Road, on the right when traveling north on County Route 41. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arley AL 35541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

By Tim & Renda Carr, May 29, 2011

2. The Party Line - The “Talking Machine” Marker

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other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Arley School (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Arley, Alabama (approx. 1.2 miles away); Piney Ridge School (approx. 1.9 miles away); Nathan, Alabama (approx. 1.9 miles away); Bethel School (approx. 4.3 miles away); Godfrey College and High School (approx. 10 miles away); Shady Grove Methodist Church And Cemetery (approx. 12 miles away); Looney’s Tavern (approx. 13.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arley.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 738 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.