Author of the article: Beth Wilkins
Publishing date: Feb 17, 2021 • March 2, 2021 • 6 minute read • • IMG 1801 – Just imagine a “Telephone Girl” sitting at this switchboard “listening to voices from everywhere” and conveying news – good and bad – to and from guests of the McNamara Hotel in downtown Peace River. According to records, it was operated at the Mac until 1962. Photo by SUPPLIED
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We discovered subscribers to the first telephone system in the Peace Country were charged $15/year with the agreement – any neighbour could come in and phone the central telegraph office for 10 cents. The first four on the line were on Shaftesbury Trail: the Anglican (River 11) and Catholic (River Lots 21, 22, 23) missions. Each had one, as did the Jean Collins homestead (River Lot 38) and Allie Brick (River Lot 12). This was possible through the work of G.E. McLeod, superintendent of construction – later reeve of the Village of Peace Ri