The Yorkville Enquirer reported on June 18, 1885 – “The firm of W.L. Roddey and Co., expects to build a telephone line between Rock Hill and Smith’s Turnout. Mr. Roddey has also canvased the town to determine interest in a line to Yorkville. He plans to create a stock company and estimates a line to York can be built for $700.”
The Yorkville Enquirer of Jan. 12, 1887 reported – “A joint stock company has been organized and will build a telephone line between Rock Hill and Yorkville. Mr. R.T. Fewell is President. The wire and instruments have been ordered and a contract issued for erecting the posts. A branch office will be established in the store of Mr. Henry Massey. They hope to have the line working by Feb. 15.” Also, in Yorkville a resolution was adopted granting the righty of way to the Rock Hill Telephone Company through the streets of Yorkville.” On Feb. 16 the paper reported – “Mr. J.W. Westerlund who has the contract for putting up the telephone wire between Rock Hill and Yorkville is hard at work with a force of hands and expects the line to be completed by Saturday. The office in the Rock Hill end of the line will be located in the cotton office of Jones and Robertson.”
On Jan. 19, 1887 the Yorkville Enquirer reported – “The stock holders of the telephone company building the line between Rock Hill and Yorkville are: W.J. Roddey, Henry Massey, John C. Kykendall, D. Hutchison, J.B. Johnson, R.T. Fewell, J.M. Cherry, A. Fewell, S.A. Fewell, and Thomas D. Johnson.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on March 2, 1887 – “The line of the telephone connecting Rock Hill and Yorkville is now completed and working well.” Later on the 9th – “The stock holders of the telephone company are pleased they will soon adopt a scale of tariffs.”
From the Rock Hill Herald on June 7, 1888 – “Mr. W.J. Roddey was in Yorkville last week and it is understood he was making arrangements to reestablish the telephone service between Rock Hill and Yorkville.” Later on July 26th the paper reported – “The Enterprise Telephone Co., of Rock Hill is preparing to run a wire to Smith’s Turnout by way of J.E. Poag’s stock farm. The Bell phones will be used. Holes are now being dug to stretch the wire.” On Aug. 30th the Herald reported – “The telephone line between Rock Hill and Yorkville and between Rock Hill and J.E. Poag’s stock farm ten miles south of town is now in operation. Bell phones are being used, this is a Rock Hill enterprise. If it should pay as to justify it, the line will perhaps be extended to Blacks and Fort Mill.”
The Rock Hill Herald of Jan. 4, 1893 – “Mr. I.N. Cross returned to Rock Hill yesterday for the purpose of trying to induce our people to establish a telephone exchange here.”
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Rock Hill to Yorkville Telephone Line: The Rock Hill Herald reported on Jan. 13, 1887 – “A company has been established t develop telephone service between Rock Hill and Yorkville. The phones have been purchased and the poles being placed. The company includes Mr. R.T. Fewell, Pres., and J.M. Cherry, Sec. – Treasurer. On Jan. 27th the telephone poles between Rock Hill and Yorkville have all been erected, but the wire has not yet arrived.” Later on Feb. 3, the Mr. R.T. Fewell, Pres. of the telephone line visited Yorkville. The phone office will be located at Dr. J.C. Kuykendall’s drugstore.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on July 11, 1888 – “W.J. Roddey and Ed. Poag have become owners of the telephone line connecting Rock Hill and Yorkville. They propose to install the Bell instrument. The office in Yorkville will remain in-charge of Dr. John C. Kykendall.”
City Directories and History: Please enjoy visiting the Comporium Telephone Museum, site #13.
The YV Enquirer reported on Oct. 3, 1894 – “The telephone exchange will be completed within a few weeks. Mr. A.R. Smith, Pres. of the Rock Hill Buggy Co., will erect and own the line.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Oct. 24, 1894 – “The long distance telephone office recently opened in Rock Hill. Many citizens had chats with friends in Fort Mill, Pineville and Charlotte.”
The Herald reported on Aug. 24, 1895 – “That the RH Telephone Co., is digging holes for the posts for a line to Ebenezer. Six subscribers have already been secured there.”
The Herald of Jan 22, 1900 – “The RH Telephone Co., system is now owned and controlled by Mr. Paul Workman.”
The Herald reported on Feb. 28, 1900 reported, “Mr. J.E. Pryor of Chester will take care of the Rock Hill Telephone Exchange for Paul Workman.”
On March 3, 1900 the Herald reported – “Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Pryor will move to Rock Hill next Monday when he will take charge of the telephone exchange. Ms. Beulah Williams will be retained in the central office.”
The RH Herald on June 2, 1900 reported – “Under the management of Mr. J.E. Pryor, many improvements have been made in the Rock Hill Telephone system. The central office has been moved to the room over Barber’s Bakery and Ms. Beulah Williams is still in charge. There are now 115 phones in working order.” On April 17, 1901 the Herald reported, “Arch. H.E. White has completed plans for a six room cottage for Mr. J.E. Pryor which will be on the lot next to and north of the home of Dr. J.R. Miller on Park Avenue. (Believed to be the 400 Block of Park Ave.,)
The Herald reported on July 12, 1902 – “Ms. Cammie Workman has a new position as a night operator in the Central Telephone Office.”
The Record reported on Jan. 3, 1907 – “That the Catawba Power Co., will move their office from the Roddey Building and will occupy the rooms in the Toole Building now occupied by Dr. Pressly. Dr. Pressly will move to one of the rooms on the second story. Jan. 7, 1907 – Dr. Pressly is moving into the rooms previously occupied by Mr. Workman who will shortly move in to his new telephone building on Record Place.” (The location of the telephone company was most likely across the street on the west side of Elk Avenue (Record Place).
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