About SCTC : Early History

1901 - The first phone of record in Stayton, Oregon was that of J.M. Kitchen, MD, on August 2, 1901 on the corner of Second and High Streets. His phone number was "23".On March 8, 1905 the Stayton Mutual Telephone Company was organized to provide telephone service for the town of Stayton.

1905 - On March 8, The Stayton Mutual Telephone Company was organized to provide telephone service for the town of Stayton. Failing in an attempt to buy a line already in town, the Company built their own line. As more lines were built, a method of switching from one line to another was found.

1914 - The Stayton Switch Board Association was formed to handle the switching and long distance of the community. Companies at this time were Stayton Mutual, Sublimity Whiteline, Lone Oak Co., Kingston Short Line, Yeonan Line, Scio Line, Lambert Whitney Line, West Stayton Line, Fern Ridge Co., Jordan #2, Kingston Line and Sublimity Telephone Co. Later there were a total of 18 companies.

1955 - Stayton Cooperative Telephone Company was incorporated on January 14th. All existing lines and property of the existing 18 companies were incorporated at a total value of $15,423. The incorporators and first Directors were G.A. Sandner, Merle Crane, Gus Kirsch, Ed Bell, Mike Benedict, George Tate and Irvin Parberry. The Company equipment at this time was magneto (crank telephones) and common battery.