Your Neighbors Since 1936
Small-town charm, big-city technology
The beginnings of Central Oklahoma Telephone Co. (COTC) started in 1936 when Richard and Lillie Guest and their son Leroy moved to Davenport to operate the Davenport Telephone Co. They operated the switchboard in the front room of a two-story house located on the same corner where Central Oklahoma Telephone offices are located today. In 1946, they purchased the system, and in 1953 Leroy "Dutch" Guest returned home to manage the company. The name was changed to Central Oklahoma Telephone Co., and a loan was secured from the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) to rebuild and convert to dial service. Over the next few years, the exchanges of Kendrick, Sparks, Agra, and Tryon in Lincoln County and Boley and Castle in Okfuskee County were added....
