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Remember When: Ponoka’s early phone system

Looking at the early days of Ponoka’s phone exchange service
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Remember When? This classic early photo shows the first Ponoka Telephone Exchange, which was opened in the dispensary of McKinnell’s Drug Store in 1908. The first operator was Mrs. Lillie Sayers (Goodman), who answered calls and also waited on customers in the store. The initial service had 35 telephones and two country lines and the rest of the early staff included 18 year old Amy Turner, Esther Wagen, and Miss Conrad. This Ponoka Town and County Telephone Service would quickly expand with steady community growth over the years, and by the 1950s had fourteen operators working six boards. Photo courtesy of the Fort Ostell Museum

Looking at the early days of Ponoka’s phone exchange service