California Wildfire Destroys Telephone History Museum
There’s been enough devastation caused by fires over the years to know that they’re no laughing matter — and that’s doubly the case for wildfires. One can only hope that whenever a blaze crops up, no one gets hurt. Even then, it tends to mean that whatever’s in the area is doomed, no matter its purpose. That’s the case with one of the latest casualties — a major blow to preserving history.
San Andreas played host to the John K. La Rue Museum, which in turn played host to thousands of telephone-related memorabilia. Some of the items and antiques there dated back to the 1800’s, alongside equipment like switching boards and rotary phones. That was the case, at least; thanks to the wildfires that raged across tens of thousands of acres, the museum and virtually everything in it is in ruins. The remnants of the past have officially become just that.
The museum’s curators haven’t broken down yet, thankfully. There are already plans to rebuild and renovate, and a donation drive will allow anyone with the means to contribute — including items that can replace what was lost in the fire. Time will tell if people out there have enough old equipment to help them restock, but at least the museum has a chance to keep preserving the past.
