CL100Years: Telephones = Prosperity Traditional Geocache

This cache is placed as part of the Crystal Lake 100-Years Geocoin Challenge created to celebrate Crystal Lake's centennial anniversary of incorporation (1914-2014). The Challenge will take you throughout the city where you will discover twelve (12) hidden caches and explore some Crystal Lake history along the way. Be one of the first 250 geocachers* to complete the Challenge and receive a limited edition trackable CL100Years Geocoin.

The Crystal Lake 100-Years Geocoin Challenge Passport contains instructions, a list of the geocaches, and designated areas for recording the code words you discover in each cache. You can print your Passport HERE or pick one up in the specially marked box located just outside the front entrance to Crystal Lake City Hall at 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014.

Here are the 12 caches: GC4XNGQ, GC4Y2WH, GC4XM0N, GC4Y96C, GC4XKNN, GC4XK2V, GC4ZFZM, GC4XTYZ, GC4XPNZ, GC4ZAKQ, GC4XPM5, GC4XQQY

*limit one per registered geocaching account/household please ------------------------------code words are located on inside cover of logbooks------------------------------

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the growth and prosperity of the community was gauged by the number of newly installed telephones. The 1/16/1930 Crystal Lake Herald reported that in 1929, 106 new telephones were installed in Crystal Lake bringing the total number of telephones in use up to 1,363 from only 495 ten years before.

With growth also came improved service. Another article dated 6/21/1928 reported a new service coming soon whereby the old system of winding a crank to call the operator would be a thing of the past. The new service would mean that when a person takes the receiver from the hook the operator will ask for the number, thus doing away with the necessity of having to turn the crank.

Direct distance dialing service was brought to Crystal Lake on August 21, 1960 and involved changing some 7,700 telephones in Crystal Lake to dial. A new telephone switching facility had been built on Virginia Avenue (current AT&T building which can be seen from this cache location) to house equipment for the new dial system. Besides dialing local calls, telephone users could now dial many of their own long distance calls using the new 7-digit telephone numbers.

- L to R: Wall phone w/ handheld receiver & crank; candlestick no dial; candlestick dial; desk phone combining receiver & transmitter in handset; desk phone with bell in base.