Elephone service

Today’s instant smart phone technology often makes us forget what our pioneers experienced in trying to attain fast and efficient telephone communication.

In Palmdale and the greater southeast AV, telephone service was first mentioned in December 1896, by Los Angeles newspapers: “A telephone line, it is said, will be constructed soon, connecting Palmdale and this place [Littlerock].”

It would, however, be several years before any phone service was introduced here.

In 1902, a phone line was developed by the USDA Forest Service (Angeles Forest) that terminated at the West/New Palmdale general store operated by Postmaster J.A. Scherer.

During the same year, Col. Fred Fenner, a noted sportsman, miner and president of the Big Horn Mining Co. (gold) located on the east slope of north Baldy, began construction on a telephone line here, which ran to Palmdale, about 33 miles away. One time, Fenner telephoned the LA Times (Nov. 9, 1905) to discuss the area’s harsh snow conditions, making this perhaps the first noted southeast AV phone call.

In June 1908, the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company established an exchange at the Palmdale Cottage Hotel with two subscribers. This area was destined to become Pacific’s largest base, geographically, in Southern California, covering an area of 430 square miles.

It reached from Newhall to Palmdale along the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way. Soon after the exchange was formed, Pacific Telephone purchased the Big Horn Mining Co. line.

By 1916, there were 16 subscribers. The Moore Mercantile Co. had telephone number two. The exchange’s office moved about with locations at the Palmdale Inn, the Moore building, the county free library and a spot

just south of the Athletic Club on Sierra Highway, among others.

In July 1916, a new telephone switchboard and private booths for customers were installed in the post office lobby. Ruth Pickit was a very busy worker, as she was a telephone operator from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then worked in the post office from 2 to 6 p.m., handing out the mail.

Customers increased to 35 in 1921. In 1924, the local telephone service ended at 7 p.m., but the 50 customers wanted additional hours. Telephone service was expanded for the 100 customers to a 24-hour basis, with two switchboards in 1929. The entire office was housed in