Meridian History

We’d like to thank everyone that joined us on Saturday for a great walking tour.
We had a wonderful time sharing our knowledge of the history of our amazing City of Meridian!

Posted • Ring ring…who is it…

It’s Idaho’s historic telephone buildings calling to remind everyone its Telephone Tuesday!

In the 1890s, towns throughout Idaho experienced the expansion of telephone services. As the demand for communication grew, so did the number of telephone companies. One major development came in 1911 with the formation of the Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company (MST&T). Many of the buildings that once housed MST&T operations still stand today.

☎️ The Meridian MST&T building is a one-story, reinforced concrete building that is an example of a one-part commercial block, exhibiting modest Spanish Colonial Revival-style motifs. Construction of Meridian’s Mountain States Telephone Company building began in April 1928 at a cost of $5000. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

☎️ Built in 1935, the Jerome MST&T building opened as a one-story commercial space with terra cotta ornamental details around the entrance with a light Tudor touch. The building expanded in 1957 and 1965 to accommodate new technology, changing from switchboards to dial telephones. Determined eligible, although not yet listed in the National Register, the building now houses the Jerome Police Department.

☎️ Designed by Frederick Hummel in 1951, the Boise MST&T building housed the long distance and directory assistance operators for the company. Expanded in phases through 1971, this multi-story brick building highlights the massive expansion of the telephone system across the state during the Post WWII era. In 2017, the Idaho SHPO determined that the building is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.