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A History of the Metcalfe Rural Telephone Company1909
Metcalfe, Ontario
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The Metcalfe Rural Telephone Association was formed in the year 1910, the result of community leaders and the Osgoode Township Council foreseeing the need to improve upon the established Montreal Telegraph Company system and on the Bell Telephone Company system. The Telegraph had extended from the New York Central Railway line in the town of Russell in 1870 to Brennan's Store in Kenmore, and on into Metcalfe and Vernon. The western side of Osgoode Township received Telegraph services from the Canadian Pacific Railway line around the year 1900. By 1896, the Bell Telephone Company extended their lines as far as McArthur's Store in Kenmore. However, both Telegraph and Telephone systems had proven to be uncertain in those days, and it was hoped that a new and better system could be developed for Osgoode Township.3
The First Telephone Office1909
Metcalfe, Ontario
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In 1909, with a strong base of support, the Metcalfe Rural Telephone Association was able to obtain an exclusive franchise for a term of five years. Under the conditions of the franchise, the Association was allowed to erect equipment and to "operate a Rural Telephone System" on and along public highways ( the roads of the day).5
The Second Location of the Telephone Office1918
Metcalfe, Ontario
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The first switch board was located in the Jim Thompson residence, in Metcalfe, in 1910, and served the immediate communities of Metcalfe and Kenmore. This service was soon after extended to Marvelville, Edwards, and Dalmany. Information is not available as to when this switchboard was re-located to the then newly constructed brick block building on Victoria Street, in Metcalfe, however sketches, pictures, and recollections indicate the period of 1920 - 1922. It is thought that the early switch board operators in this building were of T.A. Hicks' family, the Fred Latimer family, and Mrs. Cupie McCoullagh.7
First Formal Bylaws of the Metcalfe Rural Telephone Company Ltd.1916
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On May 15, 1916, Bylaw #1 was passed. This document empowered the Directors of the Metcalfe Rural Telephone to regulate the affairs of the Company. This Bylaw came into force on July 1, 1916, and was signed by T.A. Hicks, Secretary, and Frank Iveson, President.9
Telephone Office . . 19271998
Metcalfe, Ontario
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The switchboard was moved to a new building in 1927 (currently a law office) just east of the old one on Victoria Street. The operator lived in the residential suite above the switch board office. This made service available 24 hours of the day.11
Stock Certificate Issued in 193115 April 1931
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Funding for the Metcalfe Rural Telephone was raised through the sale of shares to early Association Members and to local citizens who saw this as not only an investment for themselves, but as an investment in their own community. An example of a share ownership is that of Mrs. Leonard Stanley, who purchased the large sum of $200 worth of shares from the company. In one of the better years, this resulted in a dividend check of $12 for Mrs. Stanley. However, most years saw no dividends going to the shareholders. The purchase of shares remained the method of ownership until the sale of the company in 1967. At this time the shares became Bell Canada stock.13
Telephone Bill from 19141914
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During the 1920's and the early 1930's, telephone rates were $15.00 per year. This was paid twice a year in installments of $7.50. However, during the lean years of the "Great Depression", the rates were dropped to $12.00 per year with installments of $6.00. Long distance charges were 10 cents for three minutes. During the Depression, many people did not have enough money to pay for the telephone service. Their telephone service would be cut off, and if after a couple years they still could not afford the service, the telephones would then be removed from their homes. |
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