1

By 1961, the company was well on its way to being completely modernized, but its largest exchange at Eganville was still manually operated, although its outside plant had been brought up to dial standards when the common battery exchange was installed in 1956. The system was, therefore, faced with another large capital expenditure when the time came to convert Eganville to dial. Leslie Davis had been in the telephone business for 50 years and felt that he would like to retire. Sheldon liked the business but considered that it would be an opportune time to sell.

The Davis family approached the Bell Telephone Company and asked that company to make an offer for the system. At first, Bell officials tried to persuade them to stay in business because they were providing good service and making an adequate income. When it became apparent that they had made up their minds to sell, a satisfactory agreement was reached and Bell took over the system on August 31, 1961.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis began to enjoy their well-earned retirment by doing some of the traveling they had always wanted to do, and Sheldon accepted a position with the Bell Telephone Company in Pembroke.

Thi history was written by Mrs. Hazel Davis in 1975.

2

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


Credits:
Sheldon Davis

3

Sheldon Davis gives school children a tour of the new Douglas dial station
1955
Douglas, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Sheldon Davis