My Genealogy and History Page of
 BIENFAIT
 SASKATCHEWAN
&  AREA
Telephone History

 
BIENFAIT  TELEPHONE  HISTORY
(History from the 1955 History of Bienfait book)
 

The first telephone line was completed in 1914.  there was only one long distance line which ran to Estevan (on open wire), the remainder were party lines*.  The cost of phone calls was fifteen cents for two minutes.  This cost rose in 1954.  (Today it is almost as cheap)   The first operator was Bertha Kilender.   Mrs Mildred Felgate was operator in the years 1915 and 1916. 
*Party lines were operated on the principal of distinctive rings  -one farmer would be 1 short & 1 long (or 1 short ring and 1 long ring)  another might be 2 longs and 1 short, etc etc.   The ringing generator was a crank on the side of the old telephone.  All long distance calls were handled by an operator, from a cord board.

On the May 1st, 1915 map the telephone Exchange,
was located in Block 4, at lot 224, on Railway Ave.
between Main St. and Walsh St.
It was in this location in the 30's as well, and probably later.
 


This is the style of phone we had on our farm in the 50's

 
 
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Created Oct 16, 2000
Revised Mar 24, 2008

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