Community Chat

[mormel20]

I was just thinking today how crazy it was we were on a party line until the mid 1970s. There was one other family on it. I remember wanting to use the phone and would pick up only to hear it in use by the neighbor. I lived in a rural area. Were you ever on a party line?

[tansy]

I was on a party line as a little kid in a suburban neighborhood. Knowing my mother she got a private line as soon as it was available.

[Desertdi]

Yes, I have been on the "waiting list" for a private line to become available.   

(This was during a large expansion of new homes in the neighborhood.)

[gloriajean]

When I was twelve,  my Mom fell and broke her ankle four ways.  I quickly got to the phone and the two people who were talking, I interrupted and told them Mom fell, and within 5 minutes a car came in the driveway and drove Mom to the hospital. That worked out well having a party line, faster than otherwise. We lived on farms.

She was in the hospital six weeks. That was in 1952.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

We didn't have one, but my country cousin was part of a party line.  I learned what it was when I spent time at her house in the mid 60's.

[sunshine45]

born in the early sixties, but dont remember any party lines, although i know what they are, mainly from movies. wasnt born in a rural area though.

[Seminole2]

Growing up my grandmother was on a party line and lived in what I would call the center of town in Northern Florida.  Nothing rural at all.  At least until the early 70's.

[mrshckynut]

@mormel20   yes

mrshckynut 

[shoesnbags]

Yes, in the middle of a city in the 1950s.  I don't remember what year private lines became available, just that as a child I would pick up the phone and hear the others talking.  And I remember we each had a different ring - like one long ring vs. two short rings.  That's how you knew the call was for your family so it was ok to pick up the receiver.

[Twins Mom]

In the 60's few up with party line.  I just remember picking up and others talking so I did not get to call.  We had party line until it no longer offered.  Parents did not call much - I probably used the most talking to classmates doing homework.  Wonder how much of  THAT goes on anymore! 

My biggest phone memory was coming g home to dark home because electricity out.  I called the operator and she would not connect me with the electric company - told her I could not see numbers, etc.