1

The Davis Telephone Company served a large area surrounding Eganville. Mrs Leslie Davis was chief switchboard operator at one time, succeeded by other woman over the years. Mrs Mary Redmond was the night duty operator in Eganville. Mrs Mary Redmond recalls that the office was tiny, there was no space for a wash room. The neighbour gave permission for the night operator to use the upstair apartment wash room. It was scary in the early hours of the morning to go outside in the dark so you tried to wait till dawn.

Catherine Miller Hewitt worked part time and in 1937 and recalls long hours working seven days a week for $28.00 a month. Her duties were to answer the calls, telling people the time, collecting all monies from the pay phone, putting the money in bank, and paying the operators. She disliked collecting the overdue bills.

Being an telephone operator gave woman an income which allowed them more freedom of choise in their lives.

2

Dedication to Mrs. Leslie Davis in Tweedsmuir History Book Lake Dore Women's Institite
1960's
Lake Dore

Credits:
Lake Dore Woman's Institute

3

Joyce Laundry a Davis Telphone Company operator at the switchboard
1950s
Eganville, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

4

Jeanette Hunt Eganville switchboard operator at work
1945
Eganville, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

5

Davis Telephone operator Maude Green on switchboard and Alice Fournier in background
1942
Eganville, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

6

Eganville common battery office with operators working the switchboard
1950
Eganville, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

7

Telephone operators working the switchboard in Eganville office of the Davis Telephone Company
1950
Eganville, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

8

A group of telephone operators with the Davis family in Eganville
1950
Eganville, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

9

Christmas card given to Davis family by operators
1950
Eganville, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

10

Shirley Watson has to operate two switchboards by herself
15 September 2005
Eganville, Ontario, Canada

11

Mrs MacEachen and Leslie Davis inspect the Douglas equipment
1960
Douglas, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

12

Mrs John MacEachen and Mrs Hazel Davis at banquet after cut over at Douglas, Ontario
1960
Douglas, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

13

Linda Thomas with the telephone switchboard in Golden Lake, Ontario
1942
Golden Lake, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis

14

Mr & Mrs George Yourth working the manual switchboard in Golden Lake, Ontario
1942
Golden Lake, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Sheldon Davis