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

The Party Line - The “Talking Machine”

Historic Corner

 
 
The Party Line - The “Talking Machine” Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, May 29, 2011
1. The Party Line - The “Talking Machine” Marker
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: CommunicationsEntertainment. 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 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Arley School (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); History of Meek School (approx. 1.1
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miles away); Arley, Alabama (approx. 1.2 miles away); Meek High School War Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Piney Ridge School (approx. 1.9 miles away); Nathan, Alabama (approx. 1.9 miles away); Early Post Office Site (approx. 2 miles away); Former Site of Smith Schoolhouse (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arley.
 
The Party Line - The “Talking Machine” Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, May 29, 2011
2. The Party Line - The “Talking Machine” Marker
 
 
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 947 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.

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Mar. 19, 2024