PH25573 - First Telephones Installed in 1885

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Bradford's telephone history began in 1885 when a telephone wire from Toronto to Newmarket was extended to Barrie through Bradford. That same year another line was built from Bradford to Alliston and Beeton. Gibson Cook was appointed local manager for the Bell Telephone Company and a tiny switchboard was installed in his store on Holland Street.

The telephone office was open for service from 8 a.m. on weekdays, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays and from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 to 4 p.m. on holidays.

Mr. Cook remained as agent until his death in 1891 when his son-in-law R.F. Green became manager.

Bradford's telephone exchange was destroyed by fire in 1892.

Telephone numbers were first assigned here in 1897. Bradford's telephones were removed in 1901 because of lack of subscribers. Telephone poles and lines remained in place, however, and in 1904 five persons subscribed for service. A new switchboard was installed and the line from Alliston to Bradford was made metallic, improving service considerably.

By 1905 the switchboard was inadequate and a new one had to be installed to accommodate new customers.

Poles on Main Street were removed in 1936 and plant was installed in underground conduits instead.

A minor disaster struck at Bradford's telephone system in June 1939 when a workman Bill Peachman, digging a ditch accidentally cut the telephone cable linking Bradford with Toronto and points south. A telephone crew worked all night to restore service.

Mr. R.F. Green remained in charge of the telephone office until 1932 more than forty year. Mr. G.G. Green was then placed in charge.

Mrs. J.E. Green took over the responsibility of local representative in 1938.

1957 saw the end of crank telephones in this area when instruments were cut over to dial operation. Dial equipment was housed in the Bell Telephone Company's new exchange on Holland Street.

All telephone numbers were changed coincident with the cutover and the exchange name PRospect 5 5 was assigned to Bradford subscribers.

Reeve Arthur Evans officially inaugurated the system by making the first call over the new equipment.

The 100th telephone was installed here in 1925.

The 500th telephone was installed in 1951, and the 1000th in 1957.

Bradford had 5,010 customers as of December 31, 1985.

This information is reprinted with permission of Bell Canada.