Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Telephone Exchange
1909
Photographed by Denise Boose, July 16, 2012
1. Telephone Exchange Marker
Construction started in July 1909 and was finished that fall. Locally produced materials were used, including lumber, Moenkopi sandstone and red brick.
The Overland Company replaced the Flagstaff Mutual Telephone Company, which had been a strictly in town operation with no long distance capacity. The Overland Company gave Flagstaff residents Arizona wide service. Overland was bought out by the bigger Mountain Bell Company in 1912. Mountain Bell remained in this building until 1930, when it moved into bigger quarters.
After the telephone company moved out, the building was remodeled for a restaurant. The LeBrae Cafι was placed over the original sandstone.
The present owners removed the stucco front in November 1994 and spent the following months restoring the building to its original look.
Erected 1995 by Henry Taylor & Pamela Sam Green, and Richard & Sherry Mangum, and Main Street Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture •
this page online
Location. 35° 11.89′ N, 111° 38.937′ W. Marker is in Flagstaff, Arizona, in Coconino County. It is on North Leroux Street, on the right when traveling north. Next to the Weatherford Hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23 North Leroux Street, Flagstaff AZ 86001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Flagstaff & High Country and in Hopi. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, 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: Raymond Building (a few steps from this marker); Weatherford Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Aubineau Building (within shouting distance of this marker); McMillan Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named McMillan Building (within shouting distance of this marker); International Day of Peace (within shouting distance of this marker); Coconino Chop House (within shouting distance of this marker); Flagstaff's Founding (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flagstaff.
Additional commentary.
1. Telephone Company ID
The marker states that the Flagstaff Telephone Company was bought out by Mountain Bell. That statement is incorrect.... Before Mtn Bell
Photographed by Denise Boose, July 16, 2012
2. Telephone Exchange Marker
— Submitted December 8, 2013, by Laura Roybal of Peoria, Arizona.
Photographed by Denise Boose, July 16, 2012
3. Telephone Exchange Building and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,512 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 1, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
