Phone Book Collection Dates to 1930's
The archives room at Window on the Plains Museum has a collection of telephone books dating back to 1936. A few years are missing, but the missing ones are sometimes filled when a private collection is brought to us.
The first three numbers were:
North Plains Telephone Co. owned the telephone utility in Dumas, Sunray, and Hartley. Mrs. Spencer was owner of the company. The top half of the directory was an advertisement for the telephone company.
The bottom half was an advertisment for Fox-Harvey Motor Company sales and service. The ad encouraged people to "Watch The 'Fords' Go By". The company listed a phone number of 57 and a night phone of 81.
Powell Abstract advertised on the lower half page. They promised "Prompt, Efficient Service" and listed a phone number of 13.
Another ad was for Dumas Ice Cream Plant and Ice Station with a phone number of 71.
Bolton's Grocery and Market advertised "Dumas' Best Food Store" and listed a phone number of 151.
Anderson's Blacksmith Shop, one of Dumas' first businesses, had a phone number of 3 and listed a location "North of First State Bank, Dumas".
Addresses were not listed on many ads and none of the individuals listed addresses, just phone numbers.
The City Drug Store had a phone number of 77 and advertised "Fountain and Curb Service".
The City Café showed a phone number of 75.
The only dry cleaners listed in the book was DeLuxe Cleaners with a number of 92 and advertised "If You Are Particular".
Dumas Super Service listed a phone of 90.
"Daily Trips to Amarillo" was advertised by Dumas Truck Line. Their number was 72.
First State Bank's ad listed Wiley Fox as President and a Capital of $15,000. The bank number was 5.
Foreman's Service Station sold Conoco Gasoline and Oils. Foreman's number was 4.
Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company advertised "We're Happy to Help You with Your Building Problems". Their phone number was 27.
Three businesses were listed for overnight lodging. Modern Courts advertised "A Private Path in Each Apartment", phone number 51. Hotels in the book were Hotel Dumas, phone 86; and Hotel Elliot, phone 28.
Moore County News had a number of 24 and encouraged readers to "Read About Yourself, Your Neighbors and Friends".
J.V. Mills Mercantile, phone 17, advertised "Groceries, Dry Goods and Hardware". Another store, L. D. Morton, advertised "Dry Goods, Shoes, Working Clothing, Furniture, Wall Paper, Paints and Staple Hardware". The store number was 101. Phillips & Sons had number 14 and advertised "International Trucks, McCormick Deering Farm Machinery, Hardware, Farm Seeds and Feeds, Groceries, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Dry Goods, Ready to Wear, Boots and Shoes".
The Gem Theatre advertised "Sunday Matinees -- Monday, Friday, Saturday Nights". No phone number was listed. Nells' Confectionery advertised "After the Show, Stop for Fountain and Curb Service". The number listed was 55.
Keeney's Bakery provided baked goods and had a phone of 118.
Richard's Market advertised "Fresh Meats and Groceries, Fruit and Vegetables". Their number was 33.
The Santa Fe Depot's phone number was 100 and the Texaco Bulk Station was 91.
Triangle Filling Station's number was 78 and Phillips Petroleum Company, number 66, advertised Phillips Products and Lee Tires.
The highest number in both the 1936 and 1937 directories was 154 for F. S. Makeig. The 1936 directory had 18 pages; the 1937 book was 24 pages and had more advertising.
There were 20 pages in the 1938 directory and J. Fred Phillips had the highest number, 212. Phillips was not listed in the 1939 directory. That book had 16 pages and Joe Demic had the highest number, 211.
- #1 - Mrs. Lucian Spencer
- #2 - Ezelle Fox, County Clerk
- #3 - Frank Anderson
North Plains Telephone Co. owned the telephone utility in Dumas, Sunray, and Hartley. Mrs. Spencer was owner of the company. The top half of the directory was an advertisement for the telephone company.
The bottom half was an advertisment for Fox-Harvey Motor Company sales and service. The ad encouraged people to "Watch The 'Fords' Go By". The company listed a phone number of 57 and a night phone of 81.
Powell Abstract advertised on the lower half page. They promised "Prompt, Efficient Service" and listed a phone number of 13.
Another ad was for Dumas Ice Cream Plant and Ice Station with a phone number of 71.
Bolton's Grocery and Market advertised "Dumas' Best Food Store" and listed a phone number of 151.
Anderson's Blacksmith Shop, one of Dumas' first businesses, had a phone number of 3 and listed a location "North of First State Bank, Dumas".
Addresses were not listed on many ads and none of the individuals listed addresses, just phone numbers.
The City Drug Store had a phone number of 77 and advertised "Fountain and Curb Service".
The City Café showed a phone number of 75.
The only dry cleaners listed in the book was DeLuxe Cleaners with a number of 92 and advertised "If You Are Particular".
Dumas Super Service listed a phone of 90.
"Daily Trips to Amarillo" was advertised by Dumas Truck Line. Their number was 72.
First State Bank's ad listed Wiley Fox as President and a Capital of $15,000. The bank number was 5.
Foreman's Service Station sold Conoco Gasoline and Oils. Foreman's number was 4.
Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company advertised "We're Happy to Help You with Your Building Problems". Their phone number was 27.
Three businesses were listed for overnight lodging. Modern Courts advertised "A Private Path in Each Apartment", phone number 51. Hotels in the book were Hotel Dumas, phone 86; and Hotel Elliot, phone 28.
Moore County News had a number of 24 and encouraged readers to "Read About Yourself, Your Neighbors and Friends".
J.V. Mills Mercantile, phone 17, advertised "Groceries, Dry Goods and Hardware". Another store, L. D. Morton, advertised "Dry Goods, Shoes, Working Clothing, Furniture, Wall Paper, Paints and Staple Hardware". The store number was 101. Phillips & Sons had number 14 and advertised "International Trucks, McCormick Deering Farm Machinery, Hardware, Farm Seeds and Feeds, Groceries, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Dry Goods, Ready to Wear, Boots and Shoes".
The Gem Theatre advertised "Sunday Matinees -- Monday, Friday, Saturday Nights". No phone number was listed. Nells' Confectionery advertised "After the Show, Stop for Fountain and Curb Service". The number listed was 55.
Keeney's Bakery provided baked goods and had a phone of 118.
Richard's Market advertised "Fresh Meats and Groceries, Fruit and Vegetables". Their number was 33.
The Santa Fe Depot's phone number was 100 and the Texaco Bulk Station was 91.
Triangle Filling Station's number was 78 and Phillips Petroleum Company, number 66, advertised Phillips Products and Lee Tires.
The highest number in both the 1936 and 1937 directories was 154 for F. S. Makeig. The 1936 directory had 18 pages; the 1937 book was 24 pages and had more advertising.
There were 20 pages in the 1938 directory and J. Fred Phillips had the highest number, 212. Phillips was not listed in the 1939 directory. That book had 16 pages and Joe Demic had the highest number, 211.