Noisy River Phone Company Photograph

Switchboard operators at the Noisy River Telephone Company

Switchboard operators at the Noisy River Telephone Company

Name/Title

Noisy River Phone Company Photograph

Entry/Object ID

2020.94.1

Scope and Content

Photograph of switch board operators at the Noisy Rive Telephone Company

Context

In 1908, a group of 10 men met at Dan Mitchell’s home in Dunedin, to discuss building and owning a telephone line. A corporation was created and shares were sold for $5 each. Long distance messages went through the Creemore exchange in Corbett’s Drug Store. The company was called the Noisy River Telephone Company operating in Creemore, Stayner and Wasaga Beach during the summer season and expanded into Singhampton, Glen Huron. Demand for telephones was great and in 1928 the Noisy River Telephone Company purchased from Bell their complete plants and franchises in the town of Stayner and the village of Creemore. In 1930, shareholders received 10 per cent. Phone service rental fees were $15/year for a party line. The Noisy River Telephone Company was eventually purchased by Bell. The Wasaga Beach phone service was located in a small house east of Joan Avenue (18th Street). Local resident Elaine Borthwick was one of the switchboard operators who worked at the phone company.

Acquisition

Accession

2020.94

Source or Donor

Unknown

Acquisition Method

Gift