Telephone System

Telephone Poles

Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com. Inset: John Gherini Island Photo Collection

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Scorpion and Smugglers were part of a system of 10 out-ranches developed by Justinian Caire over the entire island. "Because of the widespread locations and the topographical separation of the areas of operation, Justinian Caire established the largest known private telephone system so that there could be communication from the outlying ranches to the Main Ranch. His workers took four years (1885-1888) to build the communication system. The company installed hand crank telephones powered by 1.5 volt batteries at different locations." There were phones at both Scorpion and Smugglers and you can still see some of the telephone poles on the Montañon ridge. The phone line remained in service until later-owner Carey Stanton's death in 1987, marking a century of primitive but pioneering telephone service on the island.