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On June 9, 1881, The Hawkeye Telephone Co. started
setting poles between Wilton and Muscatine. By August
1882, Wilton had direct telephone connections with Muscatine,
Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, and Geneseo.
In November 1884, businessmen began to show a dependence
on the telephone. Even the local grocery store encouraged
its customers to phone ahead for groceries.
Although there was a telephone exchange in Wilton in
the 1880's, the phone in private homes was an exception
rather than the rule. Very few farmers had telephones
but in the mid-1890's neighbors began to organize their
own companies, building lines to the nearest exchange
and bargaining for service.
In 1901, several citizens realized the need for a switchboard
and an organization to furnish telephone service was
formed. A survey was taken that revealed that at least
50 people desired service so nine men organized and
incorporated the Wilton Telephone Company with capitalization
of $3000.
Between 1904-1920, connections with switchboards at
Sunbury, Durant, Rochester, Tipton, Moscow, Atalissa,
Summit, and Muscatine were made.
By 1924, a new owner had taken over, and the company
improved by burying cable in town.
In March of 1924, the business was sold to T.H. Armstrong.
In August of 1952, Herschel and Margaret Flater of
rural Moscow purchased the business. Since then, the
business has remained family owned.
In 1958, the phone company cut over to dial service
which required the purchase of all of the rural lines
that were still in existence.
In 1963, direct distance dialing was made available.
In 1973, Herschel Flater named his son, Dwight, General
Manager of the Wilton Telephone Company.
In 1974, Paul Maurer, husband of Herschel and Margaret's
daughter, Diana, became the General Manager.
In 1982, the digital switch was put into place and
shortly after that in 1984, the FCC deregulated the
long distance service.
In 1986, shortly after Paul Maurer's death, his wife
Diana took over as General Manager.
February 1997, groundbreaking of the new WTC/BiState
TELESOURCE facility at 810 W. 5th St. takes place.
January 2000, Mark Peterson, husband of Diana Gradert's
daughter, Julia, took over as General Manager.
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