In My Footsteps Podcast: Episode 5 - A Lost Cape Cod Lighthouse; Chatham MA, New Year's Rockin' Eve, This Week In History (12-31-2020)

 

In Their Footsteps: Cape Cod History - The Story of the Telephone

     In 2020 the vast majority of people have a pocket-sized smart phone that they use as a one-stop shop for most of their social needs. Cell phones became commonplace over the last 15-20 years. These devices made landlines virtually obsolete in the 21^st century, going the way of the VCR and 8-Tracks. As technologically advanced as today’s smart phones are the telephone itself has a rich history going back more than 140 years. From rotary phones, to operators and switchboards, there have been innovations and changes deemed revolutionary at the time that would seem irrelevant today. Every great idea began somewhere. This is story of the dawn of the telephone and its introduction to Cape Cod.

     Alexander Graham Bell is most associated with the invention of the telephone as he received its first patent on February 14, 1876. Several others like Elisha Gray and Antonio Meucci can lay claim to being at the forefront of the telephone’s creation. Legend has it that Bell’s lawyer simply was the first to get to patent office. On March 10, 1876 Bell made the world’s first telephone call from his upstairs laboratory downstairs to his assistant Thomas Watson on the receiving end. The first line spoken was simple: “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.” This landmark achievement occurred in Boston, Massachusetts.

Alexander Graham Bell c. 1914-1919 (Moffett Studio)

     Thomas Edison added improvements to Bell’s telephone transmitter later in 1876. The first ‘long distance’ telephone call came in February 1877. While the very first telephone line came in April 1877. It was a residential line connected to the home of Charles William Jr. of Somerville. The line connected his home on Arlington Street to his office on Court Street in Boston three miles away. Their telephone numbers were literally 1 and 2.

     It would not take much longer for the telephone to make its way to Cape Cod. Much like the Charles William line the first telephone lines on Cape Cod were ones that connected homes and businesses/offices. The first telephone line mentioned in local newspapers was one that was built in March 1878 in Woods Hole for Azariah F. Crowell. It connected the Crowell Chemical Company factory and office.

     Other business telephone lines followed. These included a pair of telephone lines running from the Wing Brothers store in Sandwich to each of their homes which were built in March 1879. In July 1879 a line was created in Provincetown connecting the Western Union Telegraph office at the train station to the Gifford House, Custom House, and the end of Bowley’s Wharf(later renamed Matheson’s Wharf). This telephone line was for the convenience of those connected to the United States Fish Commission. This government agency began in 1871 and was the precursor to today’s United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

A Charles Williams Three-Boxer Telephone c.1880.  (Tom Adams, Tom's Antique Telephones.com)

     Later in 1879 and 1880 telephone lines were created for Old Colony Railroad’s Cape Cod division superintendent Charles Nye’s office in Hyannis to his home on School Street and Thacher T. Baxter’s general store in West Dennis. The increasing number of private telephone lines eventually led to the desire for public lines as well. These were realized when the first public telephone office and lines were constructed beginning in October 1881. The Bell Telephone Company set up lines connecting Barnstable, Hyannis, Hyannis Port, Marstons Mills, Cotuit Port (Cotuit), and Osterville. The telephone station that was built in Martsons Mills was praised for being open day and night.

     In March 1882 the Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company began working to connect Cape Cod to other parts of nearby Massachusetts. The company, founded by Edmund Grinell, had begun operations out of Taunton in 1878 with 151 subscribers. Telephone lines were set up connecting the mid-Cape out to Wareham and eventually New Bedford. The company's plan also included running the lines eventually through Yarmouth and into Chatham. By the end of April 1883 Provincetown had received their telephone lines thus connecting the entirety of the Cape to each other and as far as New Bedford. It did take a few more years for every nook and cranny of Cape Cod to become connected via telephone however. According to their records the Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company had 1,741 subscribers by November 1884 of those 76 were on Cape Cod. From there it was only a matter of time before the telephone was a common household necessity. Though the progress was slow and steady by 1903 8% of American homes had a telephone, 35% by 1920.

A restored sign for the Southern Massachusetts Telephone company. (Collectors Weekly.com)

     Cape Cod used the Bell Telephone Company and Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company for the remainder of the 19^th century. The latter even brought the first public pay telephone to Cape Cod at the grocery store of Benjamin Sears in West Yarmouth in 1902. In 1913 the Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company had its name changed to New England Telephone & Telegraph, though in reality NET&T had owned the Southern Massachusetts company since 1890. In the decades since, and through many mergers and purchases the former Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company became part of the Verizon banner.

     Now in the third decade of the 21^st century the pocket-sized smartphone is an indispensable necessity for most. For many it is hard to imagine a day without it. However to better appreciate what exists today one can only think back to 140 years ago when telephones were a rarity, a luxury. Every story began somewhere and for Cape Cod the story of the telephone began with private lines for Azariah Crowell, the Wing Brothers, Thacher T. Baxter and others.

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View my previous blog posts: In Their Footsteps: Cape Cod History - Albert Crosby and Tawasentha

In Their Footsteps: Cape Cod History - Dr. Higgins and the Cape's First Automobile

                       

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In My Footsteps: Trip 79: Swampscott, Massachusetts

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 79:  Swampscott, Massachusetts

September 8, 2010

Formerly a getaway for the rich Swampscott still is filled with a wealth of history and natural beauty.  It was originally known as M'squ'ompskut which means ‘Standing Red Rock’ by the Native Americans.  Though not as much of a destination for the wealthy as it was at the turn of the 20^th century the town is one of the most affluent in the state.  One of the very first millionaires, Ebenezer Philips, made his fortune here in the late 18^th century.  Philips learned the process of drying fish from the local Naumkeag Indians which led to greater shelf life for the fish.  Swampscott became world famous in 1808 when Ebenezer Thorndike invented the lobster pot which revolutionized lobster harvesting.

The view of Boston from Swampscott

First settled as a part of neighboring Lynn in 1629, Swampscott has an amazing view of the Boston skyline as it sits only twelve miles to the south across Nahant Bay and Broad Sound.  A great place to take in the Boston skyline is along Humphrey Street.  I found an area just passed Cap’n Jacks Waterfront Inn with parking on the road, railings and stairs down to the shore.  On a clear day it gives you an amazing view of Boston as well as a classic taste of the North Shore with the many rocks dotting the coastline.  There is a small green park within sight of this area which is close to the Swampscott Yacht Club.  Other beaches such as Preston Beach on Atlantic Avenue give you more great views of the many rock islands off of the coast of the North Shore. 

I particularly enjoyed Preston Beach which is right on the border with Marblehead.  Though the parking area is small there is a lot of stuff to see.  First off there is a really cool sundial with large rectangular stones around a center stone circle.  The longitude and latitude of the area is noted as well as lines where the seasons would change.  Upon closer inspection there were also words inscribed on the sides of the center stone including the words ‘Be Inspired By Love,’ which was a nice touch.

Elihu Thomson House

            An historic spot to visit is the Elihu Thomson House.  Built in 1889 this home is now the Swampscott Town Hall but it was originally built for the noted inventor and industrialist Thomson who founded the Thomson-Houston Electric Company in 1880.  This development was important as twelve years later, in 1892, Thomson’s company merged with Thomas Edison’s Edison General Electric Company to form General Electric.  In addition to the enormous achievement of being a cofounder of General Electric Elihu Thomson was a prolific inventor with more than 700 patents to his name.  He also served as president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T) from 1920-1923 before his death in 1937.     

I enjoy checking out the various town and city halls as they normally are surrounded by items of historical significance such as war memorials.  Swampscott’s Town Hall is one of the most impressive, possibly because it was first a private residence.  Only the blue sign near the road gives away the fact that this building is used by the town.

Looking down Monument Avenue toward Nahant Bay.

As is the case with most other town and city halls the area surrounding the Elihu Thomson House was filled with other historic and beautiful spots.  The First Church in Swampscott, Congregational, established in 1845 is one such area just across the street from the Thomson House.  There is also a really nice rural rotary surrounded by flowers.  I enjoyed this spot because of the view you get looking down Monument Avenue toward Nahant Bay. 

John Humphrey House

Another historic home that needs to be seen is the John Humphrey House on Paradise Road.  With the oldest parts of the house having been built in 1637 it is a marvelous piece of early-American architecture.  It is said to have been built for John Humphrey who was the first Deputy Governor of the Massachusetts Colony under John Winthrop.  In addition to the fairly accurate depiction of period furnishings in the house there is also a secret room on the second floor.  This was built in case the family had to hide from an Indian attack, a sort of Colonial ‘panic room.’

Swampscott is yet another North Shore town that will enchant you with its views and historical sites.  The views of Boston from areas such as Preston Beach are amazing and will probably take up most of any visitor’s time.  However be sure to set aside a little time for the historic Elihu Thomson House and John Humphrey House.  They will not disappoint and neither will Swampscott.  Have fun and happy traveling! 

Directions:  Preston Beach: From Rt. 1 heading north, turn right at Essex St.  Continue onto Lincoln Ave. through the rotary.  Turn right at Ballard St.  Turn left onto Rt. 107, right onto Washington Street.  Left onto Rt. 1-A, right at Ocean St., left at Metropolitan Park St., continue onto Humphrey St., continue onto Atlantic Ave.  Drive 1 mile, beach is on right just before ‘Entering Marblehead’ sign.   

            Elihu Thomson House:  From Rt. 1A heading north take the 2^nd exit at rotary to continue on Rt. 1A.  Turn left at Market Street, staying on 1A.  Turn right at Broad St., staying on 1A.  Turn right at Elmwood St.  Elihu Thomason House/Town Hall is #22.

            John Humphrey House:  From Rt. 1A heading north take the 2^nd exit at rotary to continue on Rt. 1A.  Turn left at Market Street, staying on 1A.  Turn right at Broad St., staying on 1A.  Broad St. becomes Paradise Road, still stays Rt. 1A.  Humphrey House is #99.    

References:  Swampscott, Ma. - Official Town Site