Hellertown History: A Brief History of Telephones in Town
In an era when many people go without landlines–in favor of their cell phones–the notion that a landline was once considered a luxury may seem quaint. But for much of the 20th century, telephones in the home were a novelty and certainly not something to be taken for granted. And Hellertown was no exception.
In an era when many people go without landlinesāin favor of their cell phonesāthe notion that a landline was once considered a luxury may seem quaint. But for much of the 20th century, telephones in the home were a novelty and certainly not something to be taken for granted.
Hellertown was no exception to this rule, and the following brief history of telephone service in the boroughāwhich originally appeared in Hellertown, Pa., Centennial, 1872-1972ābears that out. Note that the number of telephones in the borough increased by nearly 15 times in just over 40 years.
TELEPHONE SERVICE
Before direct dialing came to Hellertown in 1938, all telephone calls were placed through an operator. The first switchboard in town in the 1890s was at Deemerās Store (now Sternās Market)*. Later in 1909 or 1910 it was located in Ruchās Store further south on Main Street. The photograph (below) from Bell Telephone News, 1916, portraying an unidentified operator, was captioned āAt Hellertown, Pa., the wallpaper and surroundings give an atmosphere of home. Titus M. Ruch is the agent.ā For over 20 years Mrs. Elsie Bergstresser was the local switchboard operator. Her operating capabilities always included a close personal relationship with the community, local happenings, where āso and soā could likely be reached, and how to handle emergencies. The number of telephones in 1930 numbered 248 and currently stands at 3,542.
*This history was written in 1972. What was then Sternās Market is today the Law Offices of Bradford D. Wagner at Main and Water streets.
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