Hot Springs Telephone Co. turns 75 years

When Grant Preston first purchased the Telephone Company in 1935, little did he know that 75 years later the business he built would still not only be going strong, but still in the family.

When Grant Preston first purchased the Telephone Company in 1935, little did he know that 75 years later the business he built would still not only be going strong, but still in the family.

After Preston purchased the company, he immediately started to expand.

Along with his wife, Garnett, he ran the company out of their home, with the switch board in their living room.

Eventually, the couple passed down the company to their son Dwight, who hired an employee, office manager Sandy Prongua in 1973.

Prongua worked and lived at the Telephone Company's office along with her husband and daughter for years until the Telephone Company moved its headquarters to Main Street.

"I raised my daughter there. When she was little the playpen was in the office and everyone would ‘ooh and aww' over her," laughed Prongua, thinking back to the years she spent living with the Prestons.

Although it started small, the Hot Springs Telephone Company now has 11 employees and has continued to expand and grow alongside technology, such as Internet and cable, throughout the years.

This year, the Telephone Company will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a downtown party on Hot Springs Main Street on August 20.

There will be free food from 11 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. celebrating the company's birthday. There will also be numerous drawings and give-aways throughout the day. Prongua said they had a celebration when the telephone company reached its 70th year, which was a successful event and decided to host another one.

The Telephone Company began offering new services as the years went on as they are the only telephone company in a 126-mile area that offers these kinds of services.

The Telephone Company services Hot Springs, Lonepine, the line south of Niarada, up towards Ronan and down as far as Perma.

"We've had to really adapt as we went because technology changes so fast. It's really tough to keep up with it. So far, we have been successful in adapting and it's been a bigger challenge all of the time," said Prongua.

Through the expansions and addition of services, the company has managed to stay within the Preston family. After Grant Preston retired, the company was taken over by his son Dwight.

After Dwight retired, the company was passed on to Dwight's brother and sister, keeping the company in the family.

For the near future, the company will stay in the hands of the Preston family, continuing the legacy and expansion Grant Preston started 75 years ago.

For more information on the Hot Springs Telephone Company or their celebration please contact Sandy at 741-2751.

Questions or comments on this story can be directed to Reporter Danielle Switalski by e-mail at reporter@vp-mi.com or by phone at 826-3402.