Lewiston had Idaho’s first telephones, right after their invention. Boise soon followed

“Mr. Watson, come here, I need you.” (In some sources, “I want you.”) These were the first words spoken on the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell, its inventor. The historic phone call took place on March 10, 1876, and the device was patented that year. The Bell Telephone Co. was incorporated in 1877.

It was in 1878 that Lewiston businessman John P. Vollmer claimed the honor of having the first local telephone system in the Pacific Northwest. It consisted of just three telephones. On June 4, 1879: “Hon. John Hailey has a telephone in operation between the stage office in the city and his residence near the agricultural park. The distance is one mile.”

In December 1883: “The Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Company: Already several streets and alleys of our little area of a mile square of improved and inhabited blocks has been taken possession of by the telephone. They are putting in instruments in the houses of their subscribers and intend to have the system complete and in operation on New Year’s Day. The main office will be in Wm. H. Nye’s drug store.

“Mr. Purdum at the central office has to multiply and distribute himself around pretty briskly to keep time to all the music of the telephone. The business of the system is increasing rapidly.”

In February 1884: “Mr. Cuddy of the Caldwell Tribune, who is also head of the telephone at that place, has the thanks of the Statesman for items furnished last evening.” In March telephone lines were run to the fire department at Star, a move that could greatly speed up its response time.

In April 1884: “Mr. Annett, Superintendent of the Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Company, was in the city this week looking after the interest of the company here. He informed us that it has been decided to extend a line from this point to Idaho City at an early date. In Boise City and immediate vicinity there are thirty-five telephones in constant operation and there are applications for eight more to be put in place. The present rates are $5 per month for private residences and $8 for places of business and public offices. It is the intention to reduce the rates to $4 for private uses and $6 for stores and public offices. The business of the company is rapidly increasing in this section. The extension of the line to Idaho City will be a great convenience for the people of the Basin, as well as those of the Capital. In Boise City and immediate vicinity there are thirty-five telephones in constant operation.”

The line to Caldwell was also in regular use.

When the Idaho Legislature met in December 1884, a telephone was offered to each house and accepted. In January 1885, the Central Telephone Office was moved to the east side of 8th Street, between Main and Idaho streets.

In the spring of 1888, a line was started from Boise to Silver City. “The holes are already dug for sixteen miles, and forty-eight miles have been staked off and surveyed. In ten days the holes will all be dug, at which time the poles will be on hand.” In June 1888, the line was complete, and people in Silver City could talk to people in Boise some 60 miles away.

More telephone history next week.