Readyville TN

A house in Readyville Tennessee, east of Murfreesboro, near the Stones River

This house served for many years as Readyville Home Telephone Office. My family lived in the house and ran the company from 1956 until an ice storm wiped out the lines in late 1959. It had already been sold to the Dekalb Telephone Coop to be upgraded to a modern dial system. People in the community had no phone service until the new system was installed.

Thanks for your comment. Here is the reason why I took a photo of that house: My wife's father (Woodrow Arnold) grew up (in the 1920s and 30s) in Readyville, living at the farm run by his father (Tony Arnold). Their house was on the side of the road next to Stones River. The house in the photo was owned or occupied, back then, by the McBroom family. Mary McBroom was a childhood friend of Woodrow (and subsequently lifelong friends, in Nashville). I have heard stories of how that house was the site of the telephone exchange, e.g. how the children were told never to gossip about anything that they might hear over the phone lines. I do not know exactly when the phone exchange began, but it must have been at least as long ago as the 1920s.

It is strange to think that every house has its own history, stretching back in time and stretching forward to memories scattered around in the minds of living people.

Hi Steve, I have relatives that lived in Readyville. This was in the late 1800's. Im wondering if your wife knows of any Carnahans from that area? Or, any cemeteries there? David se7endram@yahoo.com