In 1931 construction began on the Neillsville
"repeater station" located on the new Twin Cities-Chicago
toll cable. Construction costs were $50,000. Within the
building was telephone equipment valued in excess of
$100,000. The construction of repeater stations was part
of a larger expansion of the American Telephone and
Telegraph Company's toll lines. Repeater stations are
located about 60 miles apart and serve the purpose of
amplifying conversation so that a toll call could be heard
as clearly as a local call. Additional buildings were built
in Eau Claire and Baldwin. The technology did not exist
to maintain an amplified voice until in 1912 when inventor
Dr. Lee de Forest created the audion, which was a
practical amplifier. The structure represents the Colonial
Revival style, which is interpreted through paired sidewall Click on image to enlarge
chimneys and decorative end wall brickwork that suggests
quoining. The front facade exhibits Colonial style six over nine double hung windows and central single door entry, which are topped with a divided light transom. A brick eyebrow arches over the entry. EL
EL – The structure is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
LR – The structure is on the Local Historic Register
NR – The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
