The story of telecommunications in Oklahoma is intrinsically linked to the growth and evolution of the Pioneer Telephone Company. From its humble beginnings connecting nascent communities to becoming a vital part of the national Bell System and later a leading cooperative, Pioneer Telephone has played a pivotal role in shaping Oklahoma’s connectivity landscape. This article delves into the history of the Pioneer Telephone Company, tracing its origins, expansion, and enduring legacy within the broader context of Oklahoma’s telephone industry.
The invention of the telephone in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell marked the dawn of a new era in communication. Even before Oklahoma officially became a state, the transformative potential of this technology was recognized. Early experiments with telephone lines in the region involved the U.S. Army, who by 1884 had established a line connecting Fort Reno and Darlington within Indian Territory. Prior to this, explorations into voice transmission had been conducted as early as 1879 or 1880, utilizing existing telegraph lines between Fort Sill and Fort Reno. These initial forays demonstrated the practical applications of telephony in the geographically expansive territories.
Commercial telephone service in the region began to take root in 1886, driven by visionary Indian Territory entrepreneurs. Figures like Edward D. Hicks, Clarence W. Turner, John B. and James S. Stapler, Lucien B. Bell, and John Scott spearheaded the extension of a commercial telephone line from Tahlequah to Fort Gibson and onward to Muskogee. Muskogee became the central hub for these early operations, with headquarters situated in Turner’s hardware store. Similarly, in Tahlequah, the Stapler and Sons Hardware Store served as a key point for the burgeoning telephone network. By 1893, the demand for local exchange services led to the construction of small exchanges in Guthrie and Oklahoma City, signaling the growing importance of telephone communication in developing urban centers.
The dispersed, agriculture-based settlement pattern of Oklahoma underscored the crucial need for reliable communication infrastructure. Recognizing this demand, the Arkansas Valley Telephone Company was established in 1897. This company, led by directors including John Noble, Eugene D. Nims, Bird McGuire, and Emery E. Westervelt, embarked on a mission to connect various towns and cities across Oklahoma. This marked a significant step towards establishing a cohesive telephone network across the territory.
Installing lines in McAlester, 1907
Image: Telephone line installation work in McAlester, Oklahoma, showcasing the early 20th-century infrastructure development of telecommunications.
A pivotal moment in the company’s history arrived in 1902 when the Arkansas Valley Telephone Company rebranded itself as the Pioneer Telephone Company. This name reflected the company’s role in spearheading telephone service development in the region. Further solidifying its position, the company evolved into the Pioneer Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1904. This year also witnessed significant consolidation within the Oklahoma telephone industry. Through mergers with Shawnee’s Long Distance Telephone Company and the North American Telephone and Telegraph Company of Muskogee, Pioneer Telephone and Telegraph Company emerged as a dominant force, controlling an impressive twenty-five Oklahoma exchanges.
The expansion of Pioneer Telephone Company continued in 1905 with the acquisition of the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company. This strategic purchase propelled Pioneer into the national telecommunications arena as it became part of the prestigious Bell System. However, Pioneer was not the sole provider in the burgeoning Oklahoma market. Numerous independent telephone companies also emerged, catering to towns and communities across the territory. By the time Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907, the state boasted a diverse telecommunications landscape. Statistics from that era reveal a total of 715 telephone systems operating in Oklahoma, encompassing commercial, mutual, and independent farmer and rural lines. These systems collectively utilized 104,780 miles of wire and served 68,125 telephones, indicating a substantial penetration of telephone technology across the newly formed state. Among these, 135 were commercial systems, with 63 being formally incorporated companies.
Pioneer Telephone Company continued its growth trajectory, strategically acquiring independent exchanges and extending access to its lines for intercity toll calls. In 1911, a significant organizational shift occurred when the Pioneer Telephone and Telegraph Company, the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company, and the Bell Telephone Company of Missouri were brought under a unified presidential leadership. Despite this consolidation at the top, each company retained its individual name and board of directors, maintaining a degree of operational autonomy. By 1912, Pioneer’s footprint in Oklahoma was substantial, encompassing 115 exchanges, 114,975 miles of aerial wire, and 19,480 miles of underground wire, reflecting the increasing density and sophistication of its network.
A further consolidation in 1917 marked the next major evolution. The three previously mentioned corporate entities, along with the Southwestern Telephone Company of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas (which had joined the group by 1912), merged under a single unified banner: Southwestern Bell. This marked the end of the Pioneer Telephone Company as a distinct corporate entity within the Bell System, but its legacy and infrastructure became integral to the operations of Southwestern Bell in Oklahoma.
Despite the dominance of Southwestern Bell, independent exchanges continued to emerge and serve communities throughout Oklahoma. In 1935, the state was home to two hundred telephone companies, indicating a vibrant, albeit fragmented, market. While Southwestern Bell held the lion’s share with a substantial assessed value of $18,540,400, other players like American Telephone and Telegraph Company (operating long-distance services), Western Telephone Corporation, Southwestern Associated Telephone Company, and Oklahoma Telephone Company also contributed to the state’s telecommunications ecosystem.
In the post-World War II era, the telephone industry in Oklahoma continued to evolve. By 1945, the number of companies had slightly decreased to 184, but the total assessed value had grown to $31,586,530. By 1954, further consolidation reduced the number of companies to 169, while the total assessed value nearly doubled to $61,825,738, reflecting the increasing value and pervasiveness of telephone services.
A significant development in 1953 was the formation of the Pioneer Telephone Cooperative. Headquartered in Kingfisher, this cooperative emerged as a major player, particularly in western Oklahoma, eventually serving numerous towns in the region. By 1964, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative’s assessed value reached $2,165,092, ranking it as the fifth-largest telephone entity in the state, demonstrating the enduring power of the “Pioneer” name in Oklahoma telecommunications.
Other notable competitors also shaped the landscape. The General Telephone Company of the Southwest, with roots tracing back to the State Telephone Company in Texas, expanded into Oklahoma in the 1930s and became the Southwestern Associated Telephone Company. Later renamed the General Telephone Company and becoming a subsidiary of GTE, it further expanded its Oklahoma presence by acquiring the Southwestern States Telephone Company in 1968. Allied Telephone Company, later ALLTEL, also established a foothold in Oklahoma during the 1970s.
By 1977, the trend of consolidation continued, reducing the number of telephone companies in Oklahoma to fifty-four. Southwestern Bell remained the dominant provider with 167 exchanges, while General Telephone Company and Pioneer Telephone Cooperative held significant regional presences. The breakup of the AT&T Bell System in 1984 led to Southwestern Bell becoming an independent company, further reshaping the national telecommunications landscape and creating new competitive dynamics within Oklahoma.
Mergers and acquisitions continued to characterize the industry as Pioneer, Southwestern Bell, and GTE strategically bought or exchanged exchanges. Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, in particular, grew to become one of the largest telephone cooperatives in the nation, serving a vital role in rural telecommunications. Independent companies continued to serve smaller towns and rural areas, regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, ensuring service standards and fair pricing.
The telecommunications industry underwent further deregulation in the 1990s. Southwestern Bell rebranded as SBC Communications Incorporated in 1994 and expanded aggressively after the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Through mergers with Pacific Telesis Group, Ameritech Corporation, and ultimately AT&T in 2005, SBC/AT&T solidified its national dominance. Despite these large-scale changes, the Oklahoma Telephone Association, established in 1935, continued to represent the interests of telephone companies within the state, listing forty-four members in 2005, including Valor Communications (which had acquired GTE’s Oklahoma operations).
From its origins as the Arkansas Valley Telephone Company and its pivotal transformation into the Pioneer Telephone Company, this entity played a foundational role in establishing and expanding telecommunications services in Oklahoma. While the original Pioneer Telephone Company eventually became part of Southwestern Bell, the name and pioneering spirit lived on through the Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, which continues to serve Oklahoma communities today. The history of Pioneer Telephone Company is a testament to the entrepreneurial drive and technological advancements that shaped Oklahoma’s connectivity and its integration into the national telecommunications network.
See Also
RADIO, SETTLEMENT PATTERNS, TELEVISION, TWENTIETH-CENTURY OKLAHOMA
Browse By Topic
Learn More
Eula E. Fullerton, “The Story of the Telephone in Oklahoma,” The Chronicles of Oklahoma 12 (September 1934).
John M. Noble, “Early Telephone History of Oklahoma,” The Chronicles of Oklahoma 5 (June 1927).
“Telephone Industry,” Vertical File, Research Division, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City.
U.S. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of the Census, Telephones, 1907, Special Report (Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1910).
Citation
Larry O’Dell, “Telephone Industry,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=TE004. Published January 15, 2010
© Oklahoma Historical Society
Submit a Correction Terms of Use About the Encyclopedia
