First Telephone Exchange

The Pecos County commissioners authorized E. W. Bennett (1858-1933) to establish Ft. Stockton's First Telephone service in May 1909. The switchboard, operated by Bennett's daughter, Zetta, was located in a room attached to this adobe house, where the Bennetts lived. The wires connected with Ft. Stockton's 200 phone subscribers with Ozona, where Bennett's sons, John and Will, ran the family's telephone exchange. Lines were later strung to other towns, completing this vital communication link. The Ft. Stockton Exchange became part of Southwestern Bell Telephone System in 1928.

First Telephone Exchange is a historical marker in Fort Stockton, Pecos County, dedicated in 1975. It is one of 26 historical markers documented in Pecos County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 42 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.8855, -102.8855 near Fort Stockton. The nearest cataloged historic site is Oldest House (historical marker), about 0.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Fort Stockton, Telegraph Office and School, and St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5371001875. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.