Who Are Washington Pioneers?
Telephone Pioneers of America
The history of the TelecomPioneers of America is tied very closely to telephony and the people who made it happen. The need of the deaf to communicate gave Alexander Graham Bell his focus, his fascination with sound waves and their transmission was bolstered by his concern. With the assistance of Thomas Watson and the support of many others, the rest is telephone history. For the men and women who took part as Bell's discovery blossomed and grew, it was the foundation of an entire industry and the beginning of entire careers.
In 1910, Henry W. Pope suggested the industry's growing success warranted more than paychecks and job satisfaction. Many of the people who pioneered the industry and had spent 20 or 30 years together, indicated they would like to stay in touch. However, Pope wondered, where were all those who had started out in this industry? The questions sent both Pope and his friend, Charles R Truex, to their desks to compile lists of co-workers. Thomas Doolittle, already retired, was quick to join the effort, and the Telephone Pioneers of America were born.
Once completed, the list was presented to Theodore N. Vail, then president of AT&T, who concurred in the plans and suggested an annual gathering of the group. The first meeting of the Telephone Pioneers of America was held November 2, 1911, in Boston, where Mr. Bell signed as the first charter member and Mr. Vail, who would serve for nine years until his death, was elected the organization's first president. Membership was initially limited to those with 21 years of industry service, a standard that stood for 53 years, and fellowship was the order of the day. That service requirement was gradually reduced over time, and today any employee of one of the organization's sponsor companies can become a member the first day on the job. The Telephone Pioneers of America were first incorporated as a fraternial organization under the United States Internal Revenue Service rules.
The focus of the Association has changed as well. In 1958, Pioneers adopted community service as a core value. Following Mr. Bell's lead, many Pioneer activities centered around putting the skills of the membership to work in meeting the needs of the disabled, particularly the hearing-impaired. In 1994, Pioneers identified a Focus on Education as their primary area of concentration. To help Pioneer's education efforts in areas where money as well as volunteer service is needed, the Association began the Pioneer foundation .
Finally in 2003 the Pioneers approved a change to legal non-profit status and reincorporated with the United States government.
Charles Baker Hopkins Chaper 30
Charles B. Hopkins Chapter 30 was chartered March 11, 1924 by the Telephone Pioneers of America Association and recognizes the founder of the first telephone company in the state. We are proud of our commitment to service and happy to follow in the steps of those who were Pioneers in the telecommunications industry. Our goal as Pioneers is to provide rewarding community service experiences and fellowship opportunities for all our active employees, retirees, and their families.
In 1884 Charles Baker Hopkins started the first telephone line in Washington, from Colfax to Almota. People said he was crazy when he wanted to establish a telephone system with Colfax as the center but he extended the system rapidly and established the exchanges of Spokane, Coeur d'Alene and Colfax. The first two he sold out to Mr. W.S. Norman, after which he devoted his time and attention to extending the lines tributary to the Colfax exchange until 1889, when all the systems of Eastern Washington were consolidated under the title of the Inland Telephone and Telegraph Company, of Spokane. The Hopkins' moved to Spokane where he served as General Manager for the Bell System. During the final years of his life he served as a special representative of the Pacific States Telephone Company.
Thus began telephone service in the state of Washington. Charlie was a real Pioneer. Things have changed over the years but TelecomPioneers still have that spirit of service that he began.
Mr. Hopkins died February 4, 1920. Mrs. Josephine Davenport Hopkins was living in Spokane at the time of our chartering and was made our first honorary member at the charter meeting held in Seattle at 1200 Third Avenue.
The chapter was split at a later date into Charles B Hopkins and Eastern Washington chapters. Even later Eastern Washington became part of Andrew V Smith (Oregon) Chapter 31. Then a few years ago we reclaimed our heritage and the state of Washington again became one chapter. A return to our roots.
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