Local Government
Woodanilling
Region
Great Southern
Albany Hwy Beaufort River
Woodanilling
Great Southern
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| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
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| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 18 Mar 2003 | Category 4 | |
The site is important for its association with telephone communications in the district.
The Beaufort River telephone exchange was operated from within the Beaufort River tearooms until the service went automatic. A new exchange was built about 1km to the north at the corner of Leggoe Road. The original tearooms were gutted by fire around 1980 and consequently a new tavern/roadhouse was constructed on the site. This was closed in 1999.
A number of small exchanges were located through the country districts of WA (this was one of four such facilities in the Shire). The number of subscribers was often between 10 and 20 with a number being on party lines (ie several subscribers using the same line). These subscribers would have the same number but with a different prefix et 13U, 13K etc. Each would have a distinguishing telephone ring consisting of a combination of three digits (short and long) eg 2 shorts and 1 long or 2 longs, 1 short etc. Hours of operation were limited - sometimes 8am' - 9pm weekdays (break 12 noon - lpm) Saturdays 9am - 12 noon, Sundays (9am-10am) etc. The operator could charge and opening fee outside of these hours. The tearooms were built in 1950 by Tom Flanagan who previously had been in partnership with Jackson on Kunmallup. Flanagan sold his share which included Kenine Hill to the Fowler Brothers from Williams.
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos: 7/11, 15/0, 15/1 |
Historic Site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Telephone Building |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Telecommunications |
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