IN CASE OF NECESSITY CALL INdependence-1-8642
This might be my favorite exchange name sighting yet. An open-ended entreaty to those in need, this placard directs people to call INdependence 1-8642 "IN CASE OF NECESSITY". This sign is probably directed to those who might need access to the building on which this and 2 duplicate signs are displayed. Or maybe it was a religious message, and if one went to a payphone and called INdependence 1-8642 they might hear a calming recorded program or a religious exhortation. I have never seen or heard the expression "IN CASE OF NECESSITY" until now but it sounds like it is directed at those individuals in need of a restroom.
Carlos Pizza, Maspeth
Carlos Pizza in Maspeth, Queens, shows that it has been around a long time with its old school TWinings Telephone Exchange number
CAnal 6-3790
Pictures like this have a way of making this series look like a collection of hoary old faded signs. D. spotted this CAnal Telephone Exchange at the corner of Spring and Wooster Streets. Today this phone number (212-226-7390) belongs to a company called Opening Ceremony, at 33 Howard Street. I wonder if Opening Ceremony knows that a primitive version of their phone number lingers on the side of this building at Spring and Wooster streets.
ILlinois 7-1122. Party Time on Queens Boulevard
This ILlinois telephone exchange number lingers somewhat mysteriously over a garage door on Queens Boulevard. It is the old format phone number for Party Time, a party supply store which has evidently been at this location a long time. The modern version of their phone number is (718) 457-1122?.
Hedgecock Florist, Rego Park
I spotted this old phone number on the falling-apart sign of Hedgecock Florist on Queens Boulevard in Rego Park. According to the Telephone Exchange Name Project HA stood for HAvemeyer. In today's numbering this phone number (HAvemeyer 9-9400) is (718) 429-9400.
EVergreen.6-4343, Middle Village
I spotted this EVergreen.6-4343 number at the Queens Instrument Company at 62-15 Fresh Pond Road in Flushing. In today's parlance the number would be (718) 386-4343.
Discarded Umbrella Carcasses, NYC
STillwell 4-7138. O'Loughlin Florist
I had seen an O'Loughlin Florist sign with a STillwell Exchange before. This other sign was on the side of the building.
181 Everywhere
181 Everywhere