On This Day in Telephone History May 1ST 1877
First Telephones Rented For Business Use on a Private Line. Roswell C. Downer rented the First Telephones for business use on a private line between Boston and Somerville. From Downer’s home, at 170 Central St., Somerville, to the office of Stone & Downer, Bankers, 28 State St., Boston (3 miles)