Early Days at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

By Miss Laura M. Hall

It has been suggested that I write something concerning the first telephone exchange in Cuyahoga Falls and the construction of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company’s lines from New York to Chicago, for which Cuyahoga Falls was the main switching station. I will go back to 1882 when the Central Union Company opened its first office in a small room in the Rear of the old Mercer Drug Company’s store. The equipment consisted of a 50-wire switchboard and, as I recall, there was about 35 subscribers. W.C. Hall was the first manager. 

On account of the cramped conditions and the inconvenience of the location, our office was moved into the Apollo Block sometime during the year 1888, where the Ohio Bell Company is still operating its office. Shortly before moving to this office Mr. Hall resigned his position with the company and I was made manager of the exchange, holding this position until January 1, 1897, at which time I became associated with the American Company.

In the early days, with Blake transmitters and grounded circuits to contend with, it was almost impossible to talk to Akron – a distance of only five miles – on account of the heavy induction. This service was further greatly interfered with after street car service was extended up North Hill and laer to Cuyahoga Falls, as our lines ran parallel to those of the street car company. It was not unusual for our subscribers to say, “I cannot talk on that lin; don’t you hear the street car climbing North Hill?”  Transmission difficulties in those days were plentiful, and great was the rejoicing in the oerating department when we were furnished iron metallic toll circuits.

The American Company was not building copper metallic circuits for long distance business. In February, 1891, the construction work on the New York – Chicago line west of Pittsburgh was begun. This circuit was completed in December of that year into Cuyahoga Falls, 20 wires being strung at this time. A.S. Campbell, of New York, was superintendent of construction and the late E.J. Fullroad was foreman of the gang. Many were the hardships experienced by these linemen, the working conditions in those days being decidedly different from those at the present time. But as they were all young, robust, full of ambition and “pep,” the weather and impassable roads never interfered with their work. At times it was so cold it was a question as to how they could endure it. Perhaps the remark made by an old Irish woman who looked after their welfare where they operated, will explain it. She was often heard to say, “Sure, thim linemen can’t git cold; they have as miny coats on as an onion.”

The first conversation to New York from Cuyahoga Falls was with Mr. Watson of the New York office, James Doyle making the test on the service. It was my pleasure to also speak with Mr. Watson, and at the time it seemed a marvelous experience. The first demonstration of service between New York and Chicago was in 1893 at the time of the World’s Fair. If memory serves, it was in 1896 when McKinley was elected president that returns were first furnished in a presidential election and it was under the supervision of H.G. Curl, of the Pittsburgh office. In 1893 also the first office opened at Maumee, which was located in an old residence in charge of George Shephard, Mrs. Shephard being the operator.

At first our work was mainly testing and switching. Later we were a relay office and at one time all toll business originating at Akron, O., for our lines was handled at this office. As long distance service was found to be the most satisfactory way of transacting business, additional facilities were added each year for the betterment of the service. Boys were employed as night operators until July 1, 1910, at which time this practice was discontinued and Maude E. Huren took the position of night operator. Mrs. Huren held her position for 12 years and during the entire period of service never was absent.

During the construction of the present building at Second and Portage Streets it had been decided that with the installation of repeater and testboard equipment the operating at Cuyahoga Falls would be discontinued and this station used only as a repeater and test station. In March 1922, our people began installation of equipment for the repeaters and testbound work.

In April, 1922, many of the lines terminating in our office were cut through and our force reduced by transferring several operators to the Ohio Bell Company’s office at Akron, and Miss Graham to Cleveland. Another transfer was made in May; at that time two of my oldest employees, Misses Schaffer and Barstow, went to the Akron office. On July 1, the remaining lines fo this office were cut through and the operating entirely discontinued after 25 years in the location. Our force at this time consisted of Helen Cox, Maude H. Huren, Hazel B. Lyle and Lura Spindler and myself. At this time I was transferred t the Plant Department to take charge of the testing, as the lines were still cut through the office for testing purposes until the installation of the equipment in the new office was completed.

On December3, 1922, the installation of the equipment in the new office completed, all the lines were cut and out of the old office and through the testboard in the new office. The work of dismantling the old office on Wetmore Street began December 18, 1922, and it will be of interest to know that the original testboard and switchboard were still in service.