Many important events have taken place in Alabama over the years. While most of them are pretty well known, some aren’t. A historic event that some people aren’t familiar with took place in Haleyville and involved a phone call. For information about Haleyville and this history-making call, take a look below.
Haleyville is a small, North Alabama town where the first-ever 911 call was made.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
AT&T had planned to launch its own service from an Indiana exchange. However, thanks to B.W. Gallagher, the Alabama Telephone Company beat them to it. The nation’s first-ever 911 call was made on February 16, 1968.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Alabama House Speaker Rankin Fite placed the first-ever 911 call from the mayor’s office.
The City of Haleyville
U.S. Congressman Tom Bevill was on the receiving end and answered the call at the Haleyville Police Department.
The City of Haleyville
Following this history-making call, it didn’t take long before signs started popping up all over town informing people of the three digit number to dial in case of an emergency.
The City of Haleyville
The original red telephone that was used to answer the nation’s first-ever 911 call is currently on display at Haleyville City Hall. It’s a definite must-see!
The City of Haleyville
Today, the town of Haleyville celebrates this history-making moment with its annual 9-1-1 Festival, which happens to be a two-day event that hosts an antique tractor show, a parade, offers live music, has a variety of activities for kids, and so much more. Admission is free.
facebook/Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce For more information about the nation’s first-ever 911 call, in addition to the town where it took place, you can view the City of Haleyville website.
Did you already know that 911 got its start in Haleyville, Alabama? Let us know in the comments below.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
The City of Haleyville
facebook/Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce
For more information about the nation’s first-ever 911 call, in addition to the town where it took place, you can view the City of Haleyville website.
Besides the original 911 telephone, another unique item that’s on display in Alabama is the Hodges Meteorite. For information about this meteorite, including where you can view it, be sure to take a look at the following article: The Only Meteorite In History To Ever Hit A Human Being Is On Display At The Alabama Museum Of Natural History.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Haleyville, AL 35565, USA
