CD206 The Castle Insulator

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", May 1971, page 34

The item below was sent in by John E. Grams, Ridgecrest, Calif. and was clipped from the February 1971 issue of "Communicator", publication of Continental Telephone Company of California. To our knowledge, this is the only insulator made by the McLaughlin Co. that is not embossed.                                                                  

Collectors Item The Castle Insulator is a rare insulator found only in the Taft area of Continental Telephone Company of California, along the route of the original toll lead of Kern Mutual Telephone Company from Maricopa to Bakersfield. It is said this particular insulator was used only in this area and is now a collector's item. The line, built by James T. Maguire, founder of the Kern Mutual Telephone Company, was completed in 1908. Strung along fence posts, it has long since disappeared. The insulator pictured, is one of three found in the area where the line crossed the desert and is part of the collection of George Clarkson, outside plant superintendent at Taft.