Police Telephone and Fire Alarm Call Boxes (Circa 1910?)

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Posted 20 months, 19 days ago

potrero
(153 items)

These little call box stands are still found all around San Francisco, painted as brightly today as they probably were when they first rolled out (100 years ago?). They're about 5 ft high, with Police on one side (blue) and Fire on the other (red).

Wonder how long they'll last in the age of cell... fortunately I've never seen anyone use one.

Comments

1. fonman805, 18 months, 13 days ago
   The Police side would typically be used by police department personnel, as they required a key to open the door/cover. I'm not sure if they were usually connected to a regular line with the ability to dial anywhere, or were simply manual phones with private line/ringdown circuits to a dispatcher or switchboard.
   
   I've never seen the inside of the Fire version, so am not sure if they also contained a phone for fire fighters to use, or if their only function was for the public to report fires using the external 'hook'.
   

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