Beaufort River Telephone Exchange site

Statement of Significance

The site is important for its association with telephone communications in the district.

Physical Description

The Beaufort River telephone exchange was operated from within the Beaufort River
tearooms until the service went automatic. A new exchange was built about 1km to the
north at the corner of Leggoe Road. The original tearooms were gutted by fire around
1980 and consequently a new tavern/roadhouse was constructed on the site. This was
closed in 1999.

History

A number of small exchanges were located through the country districts of WA (this was
one of four such facilities in the Shire). The number of subscribers was often between 10
and 20 with a number being on party lines (ie several subscribers using the same line).
These subscribers would have the same number but with a different prefix et 13U, 13K
etc. Each would have a distinguishing telephone ring consisting of a combination of
three digits (short and long) eg 2 shorts and 1 long or 2 longs, 1 short etc.

Hours of operation were limited - sometimes 8am' - 9pm weekdays (break 12 noon -
lpm) Saturdays 9am - 12 noon, Sundays (9am-10am) etc. The operator could charge and
opening fee outside of these hours.

The tearooms were built in 1950 by Tom Flanagan who previously had been in
partnership with Jackson on Kunmallup. Flanagan sold his share which included Kenine
Hill to the Fowler Brothers from Williams.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.