More Than 125 Years of Connection
Our History
History
How FMTC began, changed, and grew.
Bethesda, IA
Organized in 1901, the Bethesda Telephone Company (BTC) kept its switchboard in the August Swanson home. In 1911, the company voted to publish a directory of its 16 lines, and to improve the house to include a cistern, a coal house and chicken house, and a 12-foot deep cave. A new switch was installed in 1921, and was later moved to an office in 1929, which cost under $4,000 to build.
In 1953, BTC wanted to develop a better system with a higher standard of phone service, but with less than 100 customers, it wasn’t financially or physically feasible to establish a dial exchange. Local customers stepped in, buying stock that averaged $300 per customer, and footed the bill for a new modern dial exchange. It was in operation by March 1, 1955. In 1967, BTC merged with FMTC.
New Market, IA
New Market thrived and reached a peak population in 1920 of 745 residents. In 1899, three area farmers formed the first telephone utility called Farmers Mutual Telephone Company. There were 90 subscribers on three lines, and a small switchboard hung on the wall in the corner of the Harris Hardware store.
In 1902, a lot was purchased for $67.50 at the site of the present building. By 1911, there were 19 lines serving all the subscribers with the switchboard in a small wooden structure. In December 1945, the last train of the Keokuk and Western rolled through town witnessed by C.L. (Roy) Herron, who as a child had witnessed the first train make its way through New Market.
In 1962, the company had grown to serve 92 miles of rural lines plus the cable in town. It consolidated and became known as the New Market Telephone Exchange.
In 1974, the company merged with FMTC of Stanton, and the new dial system was installed — ending the days of dialing “central” to make a call.
The Farmers Mutual Town & Country (FMT&C) convenience store has been a part of the New Market community since 1996. At the time, New Market residents had limited access to everyday essentials like gas, milk, and bread, and larger convenience chains could not serve the area due to its small population. FMTC saw both a need and an opportunity to support the community we call home. With long-standing roots, local infrastructure, and a fiber network already serving the area, FMTC chose to invest directly in New Market by building and operating the FMT&C Store. Today, the store continues to provide convenient access to essential goods while helping keep New Market vibrant and connected. It reflects FMTC’s commitment to supporting rural communities—not just through reliable communication services, but by investing in the people, places, and everyday needs that help small towns thrive.
Nodaway, IA
While the exact founding date of the Nodaway Telephone Company is still being researched, we do know that NTC merged with Villisca Farmers Telephone Company (VFTC) in 1959. Digital switches were installed in 1989 to serve both the Nodaway and Villisca exchanges. After VFTC consolidated with FMTC in 2010, fiber-to-the-home projects began and were completed for all residences within the Nodaway exchange in 2014.
Stanton, IA
The Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Stanton, Iowa was organized in 1901 as the Telephone Central Association. The first office was in the home of August Olseen at the corner of Broad and Elliott Streets. Daughter Lydia Olseen retained the position of Chief Operator until she retired in 1955. In 1911, the name was changed to Farmers Mutual Telephone Co. In 1919, a resolution was passed that all talking cease at 9:00pm from October 1 to May 1 and at 10:00pm from May 1 to October 1. This was to lighten the work of the operators.
In 1946, a new switchboard was installed, which allowed subscribers to simply lift their receivers from the hook and eliminate the necessity of ringing by hand. This action triggered a light on the switchboard, so operators knew a subscriber wanted to make a call.
In 1956, FMTC purchased a part of Halland Terrace Park, located on the main business street, for $200. A new building was built in 1957, and dial operation began in January 1958.
In 1969, installation of underground cable was started for all outside plant and was completed in 1970.
During the 1980s, the company installed cable television systems in New Market and Stanton. In 1985, a digital switch was installed in Stanton, with service expanded to Bethesda the following year and New Market in 1991.
Villisca, IA
Records indicate the original company was formed in 1901 by approximately 400 farmers contributing $20/each and operated as a partnership until 1925. In March 1925, the Villisca Farmers Telephone Company (VFTC) was organized as a co-op but no stock or memberships were ever issued. The office and operators were located over Muller’s Clothing Store.
In 1933, VFTC offered Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, which was located directly across the street, $4,000 for their plant in Villisca. In 1934, a special meeting was held and a vote called for the purchase of the Bell Telephone Company resulting in 13 ‘no’ and 7 ‘yes’ votes. Board President Omer Day offered his resignation and walked out. Following meetings unofficially elected Malcolm Poston as President.
In 1935, Manager E.N. Square made $100/month and the operators received from $15-$40 depending on seniority. In 1936, the board was again in favor of submitting a bid of $2,500 to purchase the Bell System in Villisca. In 1937, a letter was received stating the purchase from VFMTC to Northwestern Bell was completed.
In 1940’s Annual Report, there were a total of 822 telephones. They included 431 town individual and party lines with 17 extensions, and 374 rural lines with 30 rural lines switched. There were 271.5 miles of aerial wire included in four counties. COE was valued at $3,333.30, plant at $3,000, and tools, materials, and supplies at $1,260. In 1943, a pickup was purchased for $827.13. In 1946, the managers’ wages were increased to $150/mo, bookkeepers’ to $100/mo, and lineman to $115/mo. Overtime was paid over 40 hours per week. A new switch was ordered at a cost of $2,700 plus $250 for installation and freight.
In 1949, a letter was written to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), USDA in Washington, D.C. regarding a loan for a plant upgrade and expansion. The company had approximately 700 phone lines with 400 lines in surrounding areas. The rural plant would need to be rebuilt at an estimated cost of $50,000. A week later, the board moved to apply for authority to issue $100,000 in stock. The membership was looking into the present location of Swift Produce as a site for the new telephone building. The REA approved a loan in the amount of $313,000 but made several stipulations. After many meetings and discussion, the board turned down the REA and secured a smaller, private loan in the amount of $150,000 from Stromberg-Carlson. This loan would be used to purchase the new building and update equipment and plant facilities. This new plan would be much more economical and would not result in substantial increases to the customers.
In 1955, plans for consolidation with Nodaway Telephone Company were started and finalized in 1959. Many changes were made in the 1960s including paying dividends to the stockholders. In the 1980s, Manager Phil B Garland retired for health reasons, and his son, Phil D. Garland was hired as General Manager. In 1985, the company erected a mobile tower and was in the process of burying aerial cable. Digital switches were installed in 1989 to serve both the Villisca and Nodaway exchanges. Fiber optics installation began in the 1990s and fiber-to-the-home projects were completed for all residences within the Villisca exchange in 2012.
FMTC and VFTC consolidated in 2010, continuing FMTC’s commitment to high-quality, modern telecommunications in Villisca.