We had one in rural NY in the 50’s. Prior to that we lived in town 2 years where there were no dial phones, you just picked up the phone and when the operator answered you gave them the number you wanted.
Long distance calls were an event in those days too. Sometimes took a few minutes to get connected and they were EXPENSIVE! Usually planned ahead for them by mail… made arrangements to call next Thursday night at 7:30 or whatever so everyone involved would be home and ready. No such thing as “long distance “ anymore.
