The Winter Park Telephone Company
The Winter Park Telephone Company - Connecting Winter Park Since 1910
Historical marker commemorating the company’s legacy Source: HMDB.org
Our Story:
In 1910, Carl H. Galloway initiated a transformative journey by installing a telephone switchboard above his family's grocery store in Maitland, Florida.
This innovation allowed customers to place grocery orders from home, a novel concept at the time. By 1915, the growing demand led to the establishment of
The Winter Park Telephone Company, headquartered on New England Avenue in Winter Park.
lib.rollins.edu - winterparklibraryarchives.org - hmdb.org - winterparkmag.com - hmdb.org
Historical Milestones
1910: First switchboard installed above the Galloway grocery store.
1912: Second switchboard set up in the Henkel Building at New England and
Park Avenues.
1913: First telephone directory published, listing 60 subscribers.
1918: First underground cable laid to preserve the city's aesthetics.
1949: Transition from battery service to rotary dial service.
1956: 10,000th telephone installed; new Dial Exchange Building opened on New York Avenue.
1966: First company in the Southeast to offer "Tel-Tone" pushbutton calling service.
1979: Merged with United Telephone System, later becoming part of Sprint Corporation.
floridamemory.com +1 winterparklibraryarchives.org +1 wphistory.org +3 winterparklibraryarchives.org +3 hmdb.org +3 mapquest.com +3 hmdb.org +3 waymarking.com +3
The Galloway Legacy Carl Galloway's vision was carried forward by his son, Joe Galloway, who played a pivotal role in the company's growth. After serving in the Navy during World War II, Joe returned to become the company's president in 1959 and later its chairman. hmdb.org lib.rollins.edu
The Galloway family's commitment to the community endures through the Joe & Sarah Galloway Foundation, supporting disadvantaged children and families across Central Florida.
floridamemory.com - business.winterpark.org - hmdb.org
Gallery Mayors from surrounding towns commemorate the switch to rotary dial service in 1949 Source: Florida Memory Vintage telephone equipment on display at the Telephone Museum Source: Art & History Museums Maitland Visit the Telephone Museum Experience the evolution of telecommunications at the Telephone Museum in Maitland, Florida.
Discover interactive exhibits, vintage equipment, and the story of the Winter Park Telephone Company's impact on the region.
winterparklibraryarchives.org - maitlandhistory.com - artandhistory.org
Location: 221 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 12 PM – 4 PM
Learn More Further Reading - A History of the Winter Park Telephone Company by Allison Galloway
Winter Park Telephone Company Historical Marker
