I was inspired to keep my eyes open for pay phones a couple of years ago when Nancy at Wyoming Breezes posted about how rare they are getting to be. It's taken me a long time to find one, but I finally did.
I was at the Exxon station in Bay City, Texas filling up the truck with gasoline when I saw it. It looked to be in good condition. There was even a line from it to the telephone pole nearby. Was it in working order? I was hopeful.
I picked up the receiver and listened...no dial tone. How disappointing. Perhaps working pay phones don't exist anymore. I pulled the coin return lever for old times' sake (it was broken, too) and continued on my way.
As I was leaving town, I looked over at Diamond Food Mart, a store I've driven by hundreds of times. And there it was...
another pay phone. This one looked to be in rough condition, but I picked up the receiver anyway and much to my surprise, I heard a dial tone.
As I was taking a picture, the store owner stepped out with a cell phone in his hand and asked what I was taking a picture of. I explained in a happy, excited tone that I had just found a working pay phone and I wanted to photograph it because it's so rare...you know...since almost everyone has a cell phone now.
I asked if he minded. He said it was okay, though I don't think he understood my fascination. I took my picture quickly and left feeling happy about my rare sighting.
Keep your eyes open for a pay phone sighting of your own.
