Mid-Missouri Museum of Independent Telephone Pioneers

The Mid-Missouri Museum of Independent Telephone Pioneers is a unique little museum in Blackwater, Missouri. The two-story brick building was built in 1907 as the Bank of Blackwater, but during the Great Depression the bank had to close its doors. The building was later used as a church, grocery store, and telephone company. Telephone switchboards were operated in the office and customers came in to pay their phone bills. The telephone industry made new developments until switch boards were no longer needed and the office closed. In 1997, Harold Jones of the Mid-Missouri Telephone Company donated the building to the Blackwater Preservation Society to become a museum he called ‘Mid-Missouri Museum of Independent Telephone Pioneers’. He also donated his collection of old telephones, switchboards, and other memorabilia. Today, his collection and other items can be viewed in the museum. Visitors are welcome free of charge, but donations to Blackwater Preservation Society are appreciated!