Central Office

During yesterday's walk we passed an odd building with no windows sitting among the residences. Some members of our walking group wondered what it could be. I said it was a Central Office and explained it was where the phone company (there was only one phone company) switched incoming and outgoing calls. Our telephone rotary dials, the ones making all those clicky noises, sent routing instructions to a central office.  I think my young acquaintances were somewhat puzzled. Here is an FAQ http://www.co-buildings.com/faq.htm