Rockdale Reporter
August 14, 1952
Rockdale telephone operators are pictured (below) as they plugged in the final phone calls under the old hand crank phone system here shortly after noon, August 2.
As the picture was made, switches were thrown at the dial building, Rockdale was transferred to the dial system, and the telephone girls had written finis to their jobs in Rockdale.
Seated at the switchboard reading in reverse order, right to left:
- Mrs. Jean LaRue Alford
- Mrs. Roberta Pounders
- Mrs. Ruth Wooten
- Mrs. Faye Oldham
- Miss Loretta Neeley
- Mrs. Faye Pratt
- Mrs. Ann Summers
- Mrs. R.L. Myrick.
Standing at rear, left to right:
- Miss Vera Sheppard, chief operator
- Mrs. Betty Ashabrenner
- Miss Doris Jean Parker
- Mrs. Pansy Hairston, Evening Chief
- Miss Emogene Hilliard
- Miss Shirley Curlee
- Mrs. Eva Randle
- Mrs. Josie Scott
. . . Around the year of 1914, space was needed in the [former location in the] Quebe building and the operators were pushed out of their quarters, across Cameron street to the space above the Citizens State Bank. Here the office remained until recently when it was stripped of its operating personnel. . . .
During the span of 55 years since 1897 local operators have instigated calls to England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Hawaii and Japan. The long distance traffic averaged 400 calls per day at the close of the Rockdale office. . . .
Rockdale, Tex., July 24. -- The first bale of cotton of this season's crop was brought in here yesterday morning, was ginned by Mr. Rexford Wells, and was sold to Strelsky & Clark for 6.80c. There was a premium of $12.50 paid, making it net the owner $52.75. The bale of cotton was raised by Mr. Forrest Randle on Mr. John T. Randle's farm in Little river valley about fifteen miles northwest of Rockdale, it weighed 598 pounds and classed middling. This is the earliest by three days that the first bale was ever before received here. Galveston Daily News, July 26, 1896
Rockdale - A Statesman Attache Takes a Glimpse at the Place and Some of its Business Men.
Weekly Democratic Statesman,
Austin, Texas
Thursday, June 21, 1877
Rockdale, Texas, for a long time the terminus of the International and Great Northern Railroad, is a prosperous city of nearly two thousand inhabitants and is the shipping point for most of the cotton and other produce raised in Cameron and the adjoining counties.
A representative of this paper spent a very pleasant as well as a profitable day, last week, in this pretty little city, and was astonished at the amount of business done, as well as the large stocks carried by the merchants.
Everybody looked happy, and the prospects for trade were never better.
We will only mention a few of the principal merchants and business men and do up the rest at some future time.
Rockdale has only one bank, under the firm name of J.S. Perry & Co. The business is managed by Mr. E.E. Wynne. This firm does a general banking and exchange business and is reliable.
H.P. Hale & Co. carry a full stock of general merchandise under the management of Mr. E.M. Scarbrough.
Mr. H. Goldsticker, the wholesale and retail dealer in liquors, cigars and tobacco, can be found on the corner of Main and Cameron streets, and he is always pleased to serve his friends with the best of whisky, wine and lager beer.
Mr. John Redding is the largest saddle and harness dealer.
The firm of Giles & Wolf keeps a large stock of hardware, stoves and tinware; they sell as low as the lowest.
Mr. J.O. Sitman carries a stock of groceries that will please those wanting good and fresh goods at living prices.
The Grangers run a grocery and feed store on the corner of Main and Milam streets, opposite the depot. Mr. J.A. Hargrove is in charge and assisted by the "Louisiana tiger." This house is very popular.
Mr. Solon Joynes, the commission merchant, deals very largely in all kinds of farm and mill machinery. He also buys produce, paying the best prices.
Isaacs & Coffield are wholesale and retail druggists, and have a well selected stock of goods.
The Osborne Brothers run the lumber yard near the depot.
W. Max & Co. are now the owners and proprietors of the Max House and restaurant. Mr. George B. Randle, late of Austin, is in charge, and knows how to keep a hotel. The table will compare with the best in Texas. "Slim Jim" is the chief cook, if not bottle washer, and does things up in brown style.
J.J. Mosely keeps a first-class livery and feed stable, and fits people out either for the city or country.
Messrs Witcher & Co., retail liquor dealers, carry a full stock and do a live business.
Mr. A. Kaiser does the leading business in clothing, dry goods, boots, shoes, etc.
Dr. W.A. Brooks is the proprietor of the "Brooks House." His rooms are good and the table first-class.
M.L. Kritser's livery and feed stable and wagon yard are convenient to the Max House. He carries on an open and shut game; that is, he opens to many customers, treats them well, and shuts down on much filthy lucre.
Mrs. E.S. Lapper [sic, i.e., Loper] presides over Rockdale's most fashionable millinery and dressmaking establishment, and puts to shame many city emporiums.
Only one paper -- a wonder to be told -- is published in Rockdale. Mr. Enoch Breeding is publisher of the Messenger, and he makes it a live, newsy paper.
The leading physician of the city is Dr. A.C. Walker, who is besides a pleasant gentleman.
Rockdale has passed through the period that distinguishes new railroad towns, and is now as quiet and law-abiding a place as any in Texas. This fact is to be attributed both to the character of its citizens and the excellent administration of Hon. F.A. Hill, its mayor.
Once in a while some one of the Statesman will take Rockdale in, and its resources and progress will be more extendedly noticed.
Weekly Democratic Statesman
Austin, Texas
November 3, 1881
Rockdale, October 31. -- We were all summoned to pay three dollars, a few days ago, in lieu of manual labor on the streets. This highly delightful privilege is afforded us quite frequently, but the only effort toward cleaning the streets which has come under the observation of your correspondent, has been made by poor old Bender, whose only compensation is generally a few drinks.
A very large number of ladies and gentleman assembled at the Mundine House on Thursday evening of last week, the occasion being a reception party to Mr. H.A. Gladdish and bride [i.e., Annie Joynes]. All present seemed to enjoy themselves highly.
Mr. George B. Randle is putting up a hall in the second story of the brick building on the corner of Commerce and Burleson streets. This will supply a long felt want in Rockdale, and Mr. Randle merits the grateful esteem of the community for his public spirit.
