Distribution Center for Growing Phone Service, 1954

From the September 1954 issue of Charlotte: Spearhead of the New South! published by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

Distribution Center to Be Built by Western Electric

Announcement was made recently of the proposed erection of a distribution center by Western Electric on its 7.9 acre lot on North Tryon St.

The center will contain 125,000 square feet and will represent an estimated investment of over a million dollars. Current plans place its building in the early part of 1956.

The property, a part of the Dalton estate, adjoins the lot of the Speas Vinegar plant and was purchased as a cost of approximately $125,000.

The center, 30^th in the nation, will serve Southern Bell telephone exchanges in the Carolinas. Since 1945 the number of telephones in this area, as present served by Atlanta, have doubled. A present total of 660,000 necessitated the proposed center.

Though detailed plans have not yet been drawn, it is expected that the building will be of two stories with a one story warehouse at the rear. Over 4,500 items needed by telephone companies will be stocked in its warehouse. It will also house a repair shop. Approximately 200 persons will be employed at the center’s opening in 1957.