913 Main St Historic Survey - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Resource Number: 5BL8046 Temporary Resource Number: NIA Architectural Inventory Form (Page 3 of 5) V. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS 31. Original use(s): Single Dwelling / Other Use 32. Intermediate use(s): Single Dwelling 33. Current use(s): Single Dwelling 34. Site type(s): Telephone Exchange and Residence 35. Historical Background This building was constructed by Rome Perrella in 1928, and subsequently served as Louisville's Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph office into the 1950s. This was also where the office's managers had their residence. Louisville's first telephone exchange office opened in December 1904. At that time, it was owned by the Colorado Telephone Company, a subsidiary of the Bell System. Mary Zurick, and Maude Machin, were the first operators, and the office was located on Second Street, between Spruce and Walnut. In 1916, Rose Machin was the manager, while Maude Machin worked as a telephone operator. A few years later, in 1921, Mrs. Jennie Perrella was the telephone office's manager. After Louisville's original telephone office was destroyed by fire, Rome Perrella constructed this building for the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1928. From the late 1920s, into the 1940s, Mrs. Cathy Curtin (Curtan?) managed the office, and lived here with her three children, Jack (John E.), Bob (Robert E.), and Peggy. Cathy was the widow of John Curtin. Numerous Louisville women worked here as telephone operators during their high school years, and as young adults. From the late 1950s to the present, the building has been a single family residence. In March 1963, the building was sold by Jennie C. Perrella to Wilfred and Beverly Thirlaway. The Thirlaways held it until December 1994, when they sold it to current owner, Robert B. Brisnehan 36. Sources of Information Brisnehan, Robert. Oral interview with Carl McWilliams, April 12, 2000. Conarroe, Carolyn. The Louisville Story, Louisville: Louisville Times Inc., 1978. "Louisville Telephone Exchange." Louisville Historian, (published by the Louisville Historical Commission, #30, May 1995). On file at the Louisville Historical Museum. Polk'sBoulder County Directory [generally published annually], Denver, Kansas City, and Salt Lake City: R.L. Polk and Company Publishers. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, dated August 1893, November 1900, and August 1908.