Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the southeast corner of East 2nd and North Walnut.
On Aug. 17, 1882, the first telephone line was strung between the water mill at Avenue C and Main to the Stone Front Livery at 2nd and Main, about where Payton Optical is today.
In 1885, the first long-distance line was strung from Hutchinson to Arlington to Medicine Lodge. There were many phone exchanges granted, like the Electric Light & Telephone Co. in 1885, the Pennington Telephone Exchange in 1900 and the Bellamy & Burns Telephone Co. in 1901.
The Mo-Kan Telephone Co. began operations in The News' building at 13-15 E. Sherman on Aug. 31, 1889.
In 1897, Hutchinson was connected to Kansas City to connect with the Bell System. The first photo shows their new building at 101 E. 2nd in 1912.
The second photo shows the local operating board ladies in that building.
The third photo shows the toll switchboard operator ladies, also in that building, all in 1912.
The fourth photo shows the Bell building and the Ark Valley Interurban Railway terminal in 1926.
The fifth photo shows the Bell building during the 1929 flood.
The sixth photo shows the vastly-expanded Southwestern Bell Telephone building today at 101 E. 2nd, now under the AT&T umbrella of St. Louis.
To purchase a photo print, contact: [email protected].
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum