We haven't been to Utah yet for an interview, so I think it's time we went.
We're talking with Ed Lowe, who lives near St. George, Utah, with his wife
Dorothy. They are both friendly, nice, and very easy to talk with. Ed is the
insulator collector, so we'll chat mostly with him.
It was in 1968 that Ed first became interested in insulators. He was working for the Pacific Telephone Company, and was surprised to see an insulator
in an antique shop. He also purchased Tibbitts' three books around that same
time, and was hooked!
They collect general glass and porcelain, but they also like old telephones
and go-withs from the telephone industry. Ed says, "I especially like the
old historical insulators such as the wood block ramshorn, Mulford and Biddle
UPRR threadless, etc."
They have about 1,000 insulators in their collection, all beautifully
displayed in a glass-enclosed room. They built their lovely home a few years
ago in Ivins, and although the photos won't show the color, there are red rock
cliffs and green cedar trees visible from the windows.
Ed and Dorothy have a big motorhome in which they do quite a bit of
traveling. They are also in the process of building a mountain hideaway. I'll
let Ed tell you about it. "It is a log cabin and is nestled in the pines on
Kolob Mountain. You have to drive through some of Zion National Park to get to
our place. It is a breathtaking trip, as the red rocks and vistas are beautiful
all the way up the mountain! Dorothy says we are in the second phase of our
retirement; building while we can still get around. The third phase is the old
rocking chair on the cabin porch! Of course, the first phase was motorhoming, and we have put about 50,000 miles on ours. We're still
looking for those elusive insulators and enjoying collecting all things related
to telephony."
Ed was born in the Big Apple, New York City, February 27,1926. He has also
lived in Michigan, Florida, California, and now Utah. He and Dorothy met about
1975, at the telephone company central office. They were married April 7, 1983.
Ed was a telephone lineman, construction and splicing foreman, maintenance
supervisor, and engineer, before retiring in 1982. Dorothy is also retired from
Pacific Bell since 1985. They have five daughters ranging in age from 22 to 30.
This old redwood pole (1890) and the one on the next
page were on the
Escondido-Vista-Oceanside
(California) spur of the A.T.S.F. railroad
Dorothy shares Ed's interest in insulators, but she's not the avid collector
he is. Ed also enjoys woodworking as a hobby, while Dorothy collects antiques
and glass chickens. Ed gives his main "want" as a glass teapot, or a
pluto.
Ed has two insulators of his listed in Milholland's book, and one in Gerald
Brown's book. Another achievement of which he is proud... being chosen as
"Man of the Year" at his church. He adds, "I may be old, but I
can still climb poles! (Short ones. ) I hope to locate old insulators in many
places not yet explored.
(Above) Ed took eight different types of insulators off the A.T.S.F. railroad
spur.
"I am glad to be a part of this hobby, and have met a number of fine
people involved in collecting. On my first ventures, in the late 60's, it was
fun to carry a box of 'traders', and meet neophyte collectors, too. It was
always trading time and no one was aware of prices. Too bad that money has
become so important to some' collectors'. I still enjoy the shows and the people
involved."
As we leave Utah and the colorful red rock country, here's hoping that we see
the Lowes at many more shows in the future.
Part of Ed's insulator room (note the raindrops on the
roof and
windows -- one can almost smell the wet sage in the background)
Ed holding the porcelain teapot with more insulators
in the background and those beautiful red rock cliffs.
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