Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

South Central Bell

1881 - 1981

Photographed by Jeff Lovorn, August 27, 2011

1. South Central Bell Marker

Inscription. The first telephone exchange in Mississippi was installed in Vicksburg, January 10, 1881, at 102 ½ North Washington Street, by the Louisiana Telephone Company, a predecessor of South Central Bell.

Erected 1981 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 10, 1962.

Location. 32° 21.108′ N, 90° 52.727′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. It is at the intersection of Grove Street and Cherry Street, on the right when traveling west on Grove Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Natchez District (here, next to this marker); Vicksburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Men of Kindness (within shouting distance of this marker); Hard Times Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Sheriff Peter Crosby (within shouting distance of this marker); Remarkable Orator (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Mississippi Dental Association (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Federal Works Agency (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg.

Regarding South Central Bell. Louisiana Telephone company changed its name in 1883 to the Great Southern Telephone and Telegraph Company, then in 1898 the Cumberland Telephone & Telegraph Company. In 1913 Southern Bell takes over Cumberland Tel & Tel. In 1968 AT&T splits South Central Bell from Southern Bell. After this marker was cast, South Central Bell was reunited with Southern Bell in 1995. BellSouth followed and in 2006 BellSouth was merged into AT&T, today’s wire-line telephone company for Vicksburg.

Photographed by Cleo Robertson, March 8, 2014

2. South Central Bell Marker

Old Warren County Court House Museum on hill above marker.

South Central Bell & Old Natchez District Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cleo Robertson, March 8, 2014

3. South Central Bell & Old Natchez District Markers

Both markers are located on the south slope of the Old Court House Museum.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2011, by Jeff Lovorn of Florence, Mississippi. This page has been viewed 1,333 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2011, by Jeff Lovorn of Florence, Mississippi. 2, 3. submitted on March 9, 2014, by Cleo Robertson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.