The First Telephone
Here in September, 1885, the first telephone in Oklahoma was connected for service. It was the first telephone in the Mississippi Valley west of St. Louis. The company was organized by a group of Cherokees, namely, D.W. Lipe, L.B. Bell, R.M. Wolfe, J.S. Stapler, J.B. Stapler, and E.D. Hicks.
This monument was erected as a public service by the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.
Adjacent to this marker is another marker reading –
John Brian ( J.B.) Stapler
– The first man to speak on the telephone west of the Mississippi from Fort Gibson to Tahlequah.
Getting There & Details
- Address
- Cherokee Square surrounding the Capitol Building.
- Map
- Get Directions →
More Things to Do
Cherokee Square Monuments
Several monuments of interest have been erected on Cherokee Square surrounding the Capitol Building.* Monument…
Learn more →Adams Corner Rural Village
Adams Corner Rural Village is a detailed reconstruction of a small crossroads community of 1875…
Learn more →Cherokee National Prison
This sandstone building was erected in 1874 and originally had three stories. The third story…
Learn more →Cherokee Heritage Center
The Cherokee Heritage Center, operated by the Cherokee National Historical Society, is located three miles…
Learn more →