call boxes

long-run view of U.S. municipal communications networks

While successful municipal-owned communications networks can scarcely be found in the U.S. today, nearly all sizable U.S. municipalities owned and operated their own communications networks at the beginning of the twentieth century.  Municipalities built networks to communicate fire alarms and to communicate with police officers patrolling neighborhood beats. The first such network was a fire-alarm … Continue reading long-run view of U.S. municipal communications networks

police call box history

At the recent unveiling of Southwest Neighborhood call box art, the DC Metropolitan Police Department Historian, Sgt. Nicholas Breul, talked about police call box history. His enthusiasm demonstrated the Police Department’s new appreciation for its illustrious history. Sgt. Breul suggested that police call booths helped to inspire later telephone call booths.  That gives the call … Continue reading police call box history