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Show sa mrrmrvr ex- Admittedly many people perience trouble on their line, not without some vexation and distress. Not too few of these blame the problem on the apathetic nature of a monopoly. It wasnt always this way; and the problems were never fewer. The first telephone company in this area was Park City Exchange Co., which made Park City the third most progressive dty in Utah. The system was in- stalled in 1881. Due to cost, subscribers did not exactly swarm the office in fervent desire of this soon to be convenience. The exchange opened with 29 customers and the first service was only during business hours. Service Page 4 aSMLITW Wednesday, March 20, 1974 MOTHER BELLflDTjnnnr;TODAY wasnt extended to 24 hours until Installation of this early service was $3 plus a $3 monthly service charge (two days wages for a miner). When Rocky Mountain Bell bought the Park City Exchange in 1883, a person could reach onlv local homes and Keetley. In 1884, one could finally call Salt Lake City; in 1887, Brighton and Alta. And in 1889', one could reach the home of Charles Alexandra in the tiny community of Heber. Toll bills did not soar. The usual procedure in utilizing long distance was for the calling party to go to the office and file his call. The operator would then call the exchange wanted and someone would be dispatched to locate the party called. This usually en 1882. AND YESTE RDAYnmmrm probably the least of their worries. The exchange was destroyed along with most of the city in the worst disaster in Park City history : the fire of 1898. Still smoldering ruins were immediately cleared and the new office was constructed in 60 short days (the building now houses Mountain Realty). In 1905 competition arrived in the form of a franchise granted by the city council to the Park City Independent Telephone Co. now known Their new buildins Tnnnr suffered with service which was But on a note already of civic pride they did paint their poles green. Inadequate equipment was not the only drawback of service high in the Wasatch mountains. Lightning or wind could lay waste to a circuit in a matter of seconds. SNOW. Yes, that lovely white stuff you and I spend so much time enjoying to the fullest. One year it covered the entire pole line to Alta (in some places 40 was completed in February 1906. Cost of service: $36.00 per year for business and $24.00 for residential. Rates went out of sight for the common working man. In order to reach everyone, it was necessary to have a phone from each exchange. But they did get a better start than the first exchange 45 customers. The design was set for heavy competition; the end result being better service. What less could be expected with two complete companies and crews competing for each subscription? The service wras terrible. Beside the necessity of two phones, the new Independent had as the Alamo tailed riding many miles horseback to notify the person. Luckily, one wasnt asked to hold the line. Then just when people were getting used to having it around and it was no phones i, B 0 0 0 out-date- d. feet deep) making communications impossible. The elements are still some of the most formidable foes of the communications systems. With approximately 85 percent of cable now underground the elements still find a way to disrupt your service. Water needs only a tiny pinhole into which it can seep and soon many thousands of dollars worth of damage has been trouble purchasing adequate eauiDment. so their customers caused. this Multiplying problem is the increased difficulty of locating and repairing . ime Onwouemenf Loans underground facilities. Then there is man. The major portion of damage done last year in this area was caused by man. Between construction crews and local sharpshooters a goodly amount of time and money is lost each year. And there were the employees. Both companies were laid low by the strike of 07; during which both companies lost considerable ground. 75 phones were disconnected. Few people would consider disconnecting their phones now in the event of a strike, and most strikes in the area have been short-lived. On July 7, 1911, the two companies merged to form Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Co. It was incorporated for the sum of 50 million dollars and served an area of 669,000 square miles. By 1947 the company had set- To take out the drafts, take out a First Security Bank Timeway loan. For insulation, a new heating system, weather doors, and windows, roofing, or anything else to take the chill out of the energy crisis. First Security has money available right now on a preferred plan to adapt your home to conserve energy. Our sensible bank rates, convenient terms and little or no red tape make Timeway home improvement loans easy to get and easy to pay for. For more information on Timeways convenient terms, come to First Security. devastating budgets, filling cable and equipment facilities to maximum and then some. Within two years the force of craft employees has grown from a capable two to a frantic eight. New positions in management and craft were created. In addition, at least five of the crew of eight craftsmen are required to W'&S efficiently in the capacities of several of their function Plan now for Spring home improvements. Arrange for a loan now and be ready to go when the weather breaks. HAPPEN! FOtSSTT SEODDBD What happened? Growth, a startling unexpected growth, Timeway loans on preferred conditions for energy conservation ere available for Insulation Weather Windows Heating Systems Roofing Weather Doors Siding TIMEWAY MAKES IT tled. Exchanges had been erected in Heber and Coalville, and a crew of TWO ran the entire technical operation for the Park City, Coalville, Alta and Brighton area (except for operators and business dept). It remained so until 1964, when Park City became the foremost city in Utah with installation of the most advanced equipment developed. At last Park City began to enjoy the best service in the state. counterparts KWl MOUSING LENDER W E5&KK in larger metropolitan areas. The office and the equipment have been greatly expanded and Ma Bell is rapidly overtaking the growth. concentrated preventive repair and maintenance schedules for problem areas will continue to ensure good service, even better than the old days. |