With a cell phone in every pocket and purse, it’s hard to imagine that there was time when phones were rare.
In fact, in 1912 there were only 30 phones in Eatonville and it cost $1.50 a month to rent. By 1954 there were 437 phones and the cost $2.75 a month. (Per History of South Eastern Pierce County.)
The Christensen family operated the Mashell Telephone Company for decades. This photo of Katie Christensen shows her hard at work at the switchboard putting through calls.
In the days of switchboards, when a call came in a light would go on. The switchboard operator would throw a switch, ask who that person who they wanted to speak with and then manually the connection.
Photo courtesy of the Haynes family.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Eatonville To Rainier 