Copperopolis in Calaveras County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Calaveras Telephone
Photographed by Syd Whittle, June 7, 2009
1. Calaveras Telephone Marker
Present site of one of the last family-founded and-still-operated-by-that-family phone companies in America. Founded by Jim Tower, who strung his first telephone wires in 1895 tacked along posts of barb wire fences, earning himself the colorful nickname, Barbed Wire Jim. In 1900, Jim was franchised with Alexander Graham Bell to do business with the Bell system.
Barb Wire Jim was born in nearby Salt Springs Valley in 1879, having been midwifed by Madame Felix herself. In 1909, Jim married one of his operators, Laura Hazelquist. Barb Wire Jim died in 1936. His wife ran the company until she was succeeded by their only child, Howard. The company is now run by Barb Wire Jims grandson, also Jim, but not Barb Wire.
Erected 1999 by Matuca Chapter No.1849, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 37° 58.702′ N, 120° 38.302′ W. Marker is in Copperopolis, California, in Calaveras County. It is on Main Street, on the right
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Copperopolis (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Corner Saloon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Copperopolis (about 500 feet away); Congregational Church (about 500 feet away); Copperopolis Historical Plaza (approx. 0.2 miles away); Copperopolis Armory (approx. Ό mile away); Thomas McCarty (approx. Ό mile away); Copperopolis Cemetery (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Copperopolis.
Also see . . . CalTel Our Story. Excerpt:
In 1949, Mr. Howard Tower, then 27 years old, installed the first automatic switching equipment in the county. This meant that [his mother] no longer had to operate a manual switchboard. By 1965, all unsightly telephone lines had been buried underground and CalTel was operating out of their new modernized buildings in Copperopolis and Jenny Lind.(Submitted on May 2, 2025.)
Additional commentary.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, June 7, 2009
2. Calaveras Telephone Marker and Current Site of the Phone Company Office
Josephine Felix was a rancher and way station operator, offering travelers in the area a place to rest and get supplies. Josephine also performed the duties of midwife for birthing mothers.
— Submitted June 8, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,041 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on June 8, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2. submitted on June 9, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
