Alabama Site of First 911 Call Nears Demolition

The building in Haleyville (Ala.) where the nation’s first 911 call was placed in 1968 is nearing demolition, a plan opposed by citizens who believe the building should be preserved for history. The city hall building still contains mementos of that first test call by state Sen. Rankin Fite, including a red rotary telephone and large sign outside that proclaims, “Where 911 Began.” City officials say they were approached by the CVS pharmacy chain with an offer to buy the property for a new store. City officials say the red-brick building is suffering from several system problems that could take up to $1 million fix, so selling it makes sense. But resident Valerie Taylor believes the building is an important part of local and national history, and should be preserved. She’s been gathering signatures on a petition to stop the sale of the property to CVS for construction of a new pharmacy, and has created a Web site about her campaign. She’s also appeared at several city council meetings to raise the issue of preserving the building. “I feel this building belongs to America,” Taylor said. “It should be preserved for future generations to be able to visit and learn more about 9-1-1.” The town of 4,700 holds a festival each year to commemorate the first 911 call. Read more: Taylor’s efforts to preserve the building; the history of 911; a petition to save the building.

In 2001 the late Bob Gallagher stands next to one of the original telephones that inaugurated 911 service in Haleyville. It was Gallagher’s competitive spirit that sparked the project to beat AT&T in implementing the nation’s first 911 system. On the wall are proclamations from Alabama’s governor honoring the men who implemented the system.