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In 1954, the system started a modernization program with installation of a small dial office at Rankin and continued with conversion of its largest exchange at Eganville to common battery operation in 1956. During the same year, the company was incorporated as The Davis Telephone Company Limited with all shares being owned by the Davis family.2
Rankin cut over to dial celebration1956
Rankin, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
3
Gathering to celebrate cut over to dial at Rankin Office1956
Rankin, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
4
Leslie Davis showing a good pretense of sorrow at cut over to dial, note the phone draped in black1960
Douglas, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
5
Inside Rankin switch over office1956
Rankin, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
6
In 1960, a new dial exchange was installed at Douglas. Conversion of the exchange to dial marked the end of the career of Mrs. Adele McEachen, who had continuously operated the manual exchange installed there by Bell Telephone Company for 60 years before. People for miles around came to attend the retirement party given Mrs. McEachen by the Davis Company. At the party she was presented with mink stole and a cheque for 1,000.She began work at the exchange in 1900 when there were six phones on the switchboard. By 1960 there were 300 subscribers.
Her husband, merchant John Mc Eachen, died in 1916 leaving her at the age of forty with five children to raise. For a few hours a day a relief operator came in to let her combine her paid work with home duties. The switchboard was in the McEachen home. She slept on a couch in the office, prepared to respond to any night calls.
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Banquet after the cut over at Douglas1960
Douglas, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
8
Checking out the new dial system in Douglas Dial Station1960
Douglas, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
9
Mrs John MacEachen and Mrs Hazel Davis at banquet after cut over at Douglas, Ontario1960
Douglas, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
10
Mrs MacEachen and Leslie Davis inspect the Douglas equipment1960
Douglas, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
11
The new Douglas, Ontario dial station1960
Douglas, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
12
Sheldon Davis gives school children a tour of the new Douglas dial station1955
Douglas, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
13
The switchboard at Kitts General Store in Cormac1920
Cormac, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Eganville Leader Newspaper May 25, 2005
14
New Cormac, Ontario dial office, built in Eganville and moved to site in Cormac1956
Cormac, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sheldon Davis
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