This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Five Men Honor 241 Years in Virginia Bell Service
Five Virginians who began in 1878 1883 share 241 years of service in the Bell system. Wythe White, the longest serving, rose from operator in 1880 to chief inspector and manager in Alexandria. Pat Sullivan started as a messenger boy in 1878, guiding Richmond’s first switchboard in 1879 and later many roles. Oscar Eanes joined in 1881, Danville’s long time manager, with others like J. W. Crews and Robert L. Wright advancing through Richmond Norfolk and Savannah posts. All remain in Virginia telephony, four at Richmond and one in Danville, reflecting a long arc from early exchanges to modern systems.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Virginia
Kern Bell Telephone and Ph Company
Wythe White
Oscar Eanes
J. W. Crews
R. L. Wright
Richmond
Danville
Mr. Wright
Raleigh
N. C
White
Alexandria
The
Patrick Henry Sullivan
Mr. White
South
Pat Sullivan
Sullivan
Wilmington
N.C
W. T. Gary
Southern Bell Company
H. Oscar Eanes
Banes
Asd
Atlanta
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company
Virginia Territory
Robert Lewis Wright
Lynchburg
Wright
Roanoke
Norfolk
Birmingham
Alabama