| Has anybody been in Boonville, Calif about 100 miles north of SFO on RTE 128 lately. Any chance this phone booth is still there outside the Horn of Zeese Cafe. (Photo by Dan Hilberman)
Back in the 1890's, kids in the town, primarily Ed (Squirrel) Clement and Lank McGimsey started what was called Boont lingo ... a language they could use to talk freely but secretly among adults. In this case Buckey stands for nickle (a nickel, because of the Buckeye Indian on its face) and Walter (for Walter Levi who owned the first phone in town).
Actually this phone probably takes "toobs" instead of buckys ... Toobs would be two bits.
The sign is a genuine factory made product of Benner-Nawman Inc ... Benicia, CA.
From the January '91 Singing Wires Newsletter
Paul McFadden |
