Telephone Pioneers Museum

One of the most popular exhibits at Bonanzaville, the Telephone Pioneers Museum has been a staple here since 1972, when an old Tower City, North Dakota hardware store was converted by the US West Telephone Pioneers, who still care for the building and exhibits today. The museum tells the entire history of telephones, from early switchboards to modern day, with many interactive elements for our guests to try.

Early telephones used operators to connect calls. When you picked up your phone, you were connected with an operator, usually a woman, who asked who you wanted to contact. She would then connect you, wait until you were finished, and then disconnect the call.