Discover Sioux City’s pivotal role in telecommunications history—from launching one of Iowa’s first telephone exchanges in 1880 to becoming a regional hub for over a century. This exhibit explores the city’s deep ties to the Bell System, the rise of independent innovators like Sioux City Telephone Company and New State Telephone Company, and the evolution of telephone technology. Historic photos, iconic telephone designs, and original equipment bring this story to life.

Sioux City’s first telephone exchange began operating in 1880.  It was a local franchise of the American Bell Company, the firm founded by telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell.  Since Bell’s company dominated the American telephone industry for a century, most of Sioux City’s telephone history is linked to the Bell System. 

There were, however, a few interesting independent telephone companies that emerged.  One of these, Sioux City Telephone Company, constructed one of the first automatic dialing networks in the United States.  Another independent called New State Telephone Company was founded by Cloid H. Smith who would go on the start the American Pop Corn Company. 

The Sioux City market eventually came under the complete control of a Bell subsidiary known as the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company.  Sioux City was one of Northwestern Bell’s regional offices from 1921 until the final breakup of the Bell System in 1984.