Katie & Anne Christensen (ca. 1902)

Katie and Anne Christensen (born 1890 and 1892 respectively) were daughters of N.P. (Pete) Christensen — the same man who brought the telephone company to town in 1912.

Anne Christensen Haynes was the first switchboard operator. The Mashell Telephone Company was in the Haynes families for many decades. It wasn’t until June 1, 1954 that the switch was made to direct dialing of local calls. Until that time all calls were routed through the switchboard.

This photo was taken by anotehr pioneer in the area, A.B. Conrad, who homestead near Clear Lake and was a noted amatuer photographers.

Photo courtesy of the Dispatch . . . and Mr. Conrad.

Click on image to enlarge.