The central office of the Michigan Bell Telephone Company’s central office switchboard in Iron Mountain provided space for 10 female operators in this photograph, dating in the mid-1920s.

In 1925, the Michigan Bell Telephone Company, managed by James F. Martin, was at 313 S. Stephenson Ave. in Iron Mountain.

The Michigan Bell Telephone Company erected its new quarters at 211 E. B St. in Iron Mountain in the spring and summer of 1925. By 1935, William F. Clarke served as manager.

An article in the Feb. 4, 1925 edition of the Iron Mountain News recorded the awarding of the contract for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company building under the headline Bell Company to award contract — new structure on East B must be completed by end of June as follows: “(The) Contract for a two-story brick and steel telephone exchange office, to be located at 217 E. B Street (now known as 211 E. B Street), will be let in Detroit May 1, James F. Martin district manager for the Michigan Bell Telephone Co., announced today. The building will have a frontage of 58-feet and will be 42-feet in length, Martin said, adding that it will be of court or U-shaped construction.

A view of the Michigan Bell Telephone Co. building as it is today. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“The first floor of the exchange will be used by the commercial and plant equipment departments, Martin said, while the second floor will be given over to the operating room on one side and a reception room, kitchen and school room for operators on the other. All operators will receive a course of instruction in their work before they are permitted to serve the public, he announced, ensuring better service than is possible under the present arrangement.

“The basement of the building will be used for battery and other storage.

“None of the equipment in use at the present exchange will be taken over to the new building, Martin said, but the most modern and up-to-date equipage will be used, giving Iron Mountain an exchange that will care for the city’s needs for an estimated 10-year period.

“The house on the 100-foot lot which is the site of the new exchange must be moved or sold before May 1, when work is to start on the new structure. General Electric Co. will have six months in which to complete installation of switch boards and other equipment.”

In 1935, the Michigan Bell Telephone Company listed the office of its manager, William F. Clarke at this location. From 1966 through 1978, Richard T. Abbott was manager and in 1979 Katherine M. Clemo took over as manager.

By the early ’80s, the phone system upgraded to digital and many of the local operators relocated.

The second photo on the cover is a view of the Michigan Bell Telephone Co. building as it is today.

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The Daily News is bringing back photos of “yesteryears.” Each week, an historical photograph will be posted on The Daily News’ Facebook page. Readers will be asked to identify the location, as well as share a memorable experience. “Back to the Present” will be published on Wednesdays, including a current photo. Readers can email tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com with subject “Back to the Present.”