Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Negative, Glass Plate |
Caption |
Charles Borgersrode at telephone switchboard |
Description |
Glass plate negative and photographic matte print of Charles Borgersrode at Winsted, MN telephone switchboard. The bearded man holds the mouthpiece in one hand. Telephone equipment on the wall includes a panel of bells. Taken by Fred Lhotka, Photographer, Winsted, MN. "Papa at Switchboard" was Ruby Lhotka Hagan's grandfather and Fred Lhotka's father-in-law. Instructions from Northwestern Telephone Exchange Company are posted on the wall below the bells and give Directions for Operators and a list of Code Symbols. Above Charles' head are small tags reading "Who's Your Friend?", "How Do You Do?" and "Look Who's Here" and a label from Peck Company, Quality & Quick Service. The switchboard at right is labeled "200 Chicago Telephone Supply Company, Elkhart, Indiana". Winsted had the first telephone line in service in McLeod County in 1892, connecting Winsted and Lester Prairie. Charles Borgersrode performed the technical work, Felton Vollmer paid for the poles and material, and Rufo Vollmer did most of the construction work. The line, a one wire circuit of galvanized steel, ran between Winsted Roller Mills and the Great Northern Depot in Lester Prairie. Primary reason for construction was to facilitate meeting train travelers coming from Minneapolis or Hutchinson to Winsted; when someone needed a ride the call was made and a horse-drawn wagon would leave Winsted to pick up the traveler. Winsted Telephone Company was formed in 1917 and incorporated on April 10, 1920. At that time, shares of stock were issued and the company was run as a cooperative. |
Catalog Number |
2008-0272-019 |
Search Terms |
Glass negatives Lhotka, Fred, Photographer, Winsted, MN Telephone switchboards Winsted Telephone Company, Winsted, MN Borgersrode Family |
Subjects |
Glass negatives Telephone switchboards |
People |
Lhotka, Fred Borgersrode, Charles |