Golden joined the modern world in October of 1955–we got dials on our phones! Prior to that time, Golden callers placed all calls through a telephone operator. A $1,000,000 upgrade enabled the phone company to replace those operators with an electro-mechanical switching system. Every home and business in the service area got a new phone (with a dial!), and after the cutover, the company collected the “magneto” phones.
This change in the Golden central office covered Morrison and Lookout Mountain as well as the City of Golden. Golden numbers were assigned the prefix of CRestview. The C-R translated to 2-7 on the rotary dial. (That’s why landlines in Golden still start with 278- or 279-!)
The Transcript reported that many teenagers had been poised by their phones, waiting for the cutover at midnight Saturday night, so they could make their first unassisted phone call.
The Transcript bade a fond goodbye to the telephone operators:
Before all the “hello” girls scatter to the winds, The Transcript wishes to express its thanks to them for the very fine service we have had through the years. When service was needed most, particularly on press days, it seemed as if the operators concentrated on giving us their best…. All this was greatly appreciated, girls, and we miss you and your personal touch.
Many thanks to an anonymous donor for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of October.
