Friday, February 21, 2014

The Telephone

Telephones came to Ocracoke in 1956. On the first day of telephone service islanders made more than 1,700 calls!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter documents that historic day, and includes images of Ocracoke's first telephone directory which lists a total of 63 subscribers. You can read the Newsletter here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news022114.htm

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:14 AM

    Wonderful story! Oh, I wish I had been there on opening day!

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  2. Bear MacDonald10:08 AM

    While perusing the "phone book", I noticed a listing for the Berkly Machine Works and Foundry. Being an ex-machinist, I wonder what was produced at that facility.

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    1. Actually, nothing was produced there. This was Sam Jones' "resort" on Ocracoke. See my Newsletter (http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012111.htm) for more information about Sam Jones, and photos of Berkley Castle and Berkley Manor.

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  3. Thanks Philip,

    I read that newsletter when it was first published and gave it a re-read. I also read the Virginia Living Article titled "The Iron Forger and the Gold Digger. Both quite informative.

    As always, thanks for keeping us informed about the persons and history of Ocracoke. that lends to the uniqueness of the community.

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  4. Anonymous8:40 AM

    I really enjoyed the newsletter. The listings revealed many of the people you have written about. I miss having letters in phone numbers, back then I could remember a person's phone number. Just curious...what did the WA stand for?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:53 AM

      Thanks. Our first was GA (Garfield)

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