San Marcos Telephone Company
138 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TXIn these days of telecommunication giants, the independent small-town telephone company is a rarity. Therefore, the San Marcos Telephone Company building is significant not only for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture but also for its position as the previous home of one of the largest locally owned communications companies in Texas. Research has failed to reveal a comparable firm.
The San Marcos Telephone Company opened for business in March 1899, with 61 subscribers, The founder was R.T. Durrett. Sam R. Kone was the first businessman to have phone service between his home and workplace. When Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph opened a competing exchange in 1903, Durrett sold his company to Frank C. Smith. Both companies operated until 1919 when the local firm absorbed Southwestern's (Southwestern Bell since 1910) subscribers.
Emphasizing the company's local connections was a common advertising theme. The 1910 directory asked customers to "Consider where your money goes. Will it be spent in San Marcos, so that you may see it again, or will it go to the Northern capitalists?" The advertisement must have worked, because by 1928 the telephone business was so active that a new building was necessary to replace the temporary quarters. A two-story Spanish Colonial design was chosen under the leadership of then-president, Walter Donalson. The company remained in the building until November 5, 1955. H.Y. Price had bought the company in 1949. It continues to serve the community with specialized features unavailable from Bell Telephone.
The San Marcos Telephone Company opened for business in March 1899, with 61 subscribers, The founder was R.T. Durrett. Sam R. Kone was the first businessman to have phone service between his home and workplace. When Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph opened a competing exchange in 1903, Durrett sold his company to Frank C. Smith. Both companies operated until 1919 when the local firm absorbed Southwestern's (Southwestern Bell since 1910) subscribers.
Emphasizing the company's local connections was a common advertising theme. The 1910 directory asked customers to "Consider where your money goes. Will it be spent in San Marcos, so that you may see it again, or will it go to the Northern capitalists?" The advertisement must have worked, because by 1928 the telephone business was so active that a new building was necessary to replace the temporary quarters. A two-story Spanish Colonial design was chosen under the leadership of then-president, Walter Donalson. The company remained in the building until November 5, 1955. H.Y. Price had bought the company in 1949. It continues to serve the community with specialized features unavailable from Bell Telephone.
Bibliography
Telephony's Directory and Buyer's Guide for the Telecommunications Industry, 86th
Annual Edition, 1981-82.
San Marcos Telphone Company Directory, 1910.
San Marcos Daily Record, November 18, 1979.
Interview with H.Y. Price, Jr., May 27, 1982.
Annual Edition, 1981-82.
San Marcos Telphone Company Directory, 1910.
San Marcos Daily Record, November 18, 1979.
Interview with H.Y. Price, Jr., May 27, 1982.
Architecture; Communications
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
About Hays County
Hays County Timeline
Hays County, located in the central part of Texas, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Tonkawa and Comanche peoples. However, the first recorded European arrival in the region occurred in 1690 when Spanish explorers made their way through the area.
In the early 1800s, Anglo-American settlers began to establish permanent settlements in what is now Hays County. One of the most notable figures in the county's history is Captain John Coffee "Jack" Hays, a Texas Ranger who played a significant role in fighting against Native American raids in the region. As a result of his contributions, the county was renamed in his honor in 1848.
During the mid-1800s, Hays County experienced rapid growth and development, fueled by the arrival of the railroad in the region. The county became an important hub for agriculture, with cotton and cattle as the main industries. The county seat, San Marcos, played a key role in the growth of education in the area, becoming home to Southwest Texas State Normal School (now Texas State University) in 1899.
In the 20th century, Hays County continued to evolve and modernize. The population increased steadily as more people were attracted to the area’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Austin. Today, Hays County remains a vibrant and growing community, serving as a bridge between the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the urban amenities of nearby metropolitan areas.
In the early 1800s, Anglo-American settlers began to establish permanent settlements in what is now Hays County. One of the most notable figures in the county's history is Captain John Coffee "Jack" Hays, a Texas Ranger who played a significant role in fighting against Native American raids in the region. As a result of his contributions, the county was renamed in his honor in 1848.
During the mid-1800s, Hays County experienced rapid growth and development, fueled by the arrival of the railroad in the region. The county became an important hub for agriculture, with cotton and cattle as the main industries. The county seat, San Marcos, played a key role in the growth of education in the area, becoming home to Southwest Texas State Normal School (now Texas State University) in 1899.
In the 20th century, Hays County continued to evolve and modernize. The population increased steadily as more people were attracted to the area’s natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Austin. Today, Hays County remains a vibrant and growing community, serving as a bridge between the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and the urban amenities of nearby metropolitan areas.
Hays County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hays County, Texas.
- 1837: Hays County is officially established as a county when the Republic of Texas is formed.
- 1848: The county seat is established in the town of San Marcos.
- 1856: A charter is granted to create the Hays County Agricultural, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Association.
- 1861: With the outbreak of the Civil War, many men from Hays County volunteer for service in the Confederate Army.
- 1881: The International-Great Northern Railroad is completed, connecting San Marcos to Austin and San Antonio.
- 1903: Southwest Texas State Normal School (now known as Texas State University) is established in San Marcos.
- 1938: The Blanco River floods, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure in Hays County.
- 1996: The Hays County Courthouse, built in 1909, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2015: The county experiences widespread flooding from heavy rains, resulting in several deaths and extensive property damage.