The first police call boxes were created in 1883 for the city of Washington, D.C. They made it possible for both the public and the police to contact the local police station in the event of an emergency. The idea quickly caught on across the U.S. and call boxes were installed in other large cities. Police walkie-talkies eventually made call boxes unnecessary in most cities by the late 1960s.
This aluminum call box was manufactured by The Gamewell Company of New York in the mid-1900s. The original Detroit police call boxes were painted a solid blue. This one has been redone with a striking black, white and gold color combination, as well as the modern-day slogan, “No Drugs” painted on the side. Inside is a wall-style telephone. Northern Electric made this particular model called the Uniphone sometime in the 1940’s or 50’s.
Dimensions: 16”H x 11”W x 5”D
Produced: Mid-1900s
This item is not for sale. We show restored items in this blog to encourage discussion, prompt questions and further the hobby of collecting and restoration. We also enjoy sharing the photos of the many items we have restored over the years.
14 responses so far ↓
1 Gino Hliebay // Sep 27, 2009 at 7:30 pm
This door was not made by gamewell, the city of detroit made their own door and slapped it on a gamewell box. Needless to say gamewell threatened to sue, detroit stoped producing their own door. Made in the 1950’s the inside phone is not original.
Great looking box,
Gino
2 Keith // Sep 29, 2009 at 11:10 am
Gino, thanks for contributing.
We knew the phone was not original, we just thought it looked cool
3 Hanz // Nov 20, 2009 at 10:34 pm
The phone does look cool . Where did you find it?
4 vintagevending // Nov 23, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Hanz,
We don’t recall where we bought this item, as it was 8 years ago, but try ebay, sometimes they pop up there.
5 Lisa // Dec 1, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Hi
I have an original blue phone box in good condition, with no phone on the inside. What is the approximate worth?
6 vintagevending // Dec 2, 2009 at 10:33 am
Lisa,
We aren’t able to give estimates on the value of an item. If you keep an eye on Ebay or Craig’s List, your item is sure to be listed at some point. That may give you a rough idea of it’s value but keep in mind prices vary greatly depending on condition.
7 Jim // Dec 15, 2009 at 1:29 am
HI LISA,
Is it 16 1/2 inches tall or 20″? (measure from the back
Do you know where it was used? I’ll look for your response & thanks, Jim
8 Bob // Dec 18, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Lisa:
Is your call box for sale? I am interested.
Bob
blick068@hotmail.com
9 Jack // Mar 30, 2010 at 5:30 pm
I’m trying to locate the old Police Call Boxes maintained by the then named “New York Tel/Bell Atlantic” phone company and used by the Suffolk County NY Police Dept.. They were lime green in color and were removed from telephone poles in our Police District in the early to mid 90s. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks and STAY SAFE! Jack
ironcrewmc@optonline.net
10 Robert Green // May 4, 2010 at 10:12 pm
I was a police officer in Detroit from 1974 to 1999. All the call boxes I used were dark blue. The main function of a call box was to report to the dispatcher while on standup patrol or foot patrol(walking a beat). The term used for using the call box while on foot patrol was “pull”.
11 Kika // May 21, 2010 at 10:20 am
Hi. I have an old police call box that I would like to sell. Its in fair condition. Only thing is I dont Know where to start with prices? any idea?
12 vintagevending // May 21, 2010 at 11:06 am
Kika,
We are not appraisers, so we can’t give you an estimate on value. I have found a website with a write-up that might be able to help you out.
http://www.ushandcuffs.com/CallBoxes.html
13 Bob // Jun 6, 2010 at 3:48 pm
I am in the Detroit area and purchase call boxes, please email me, but note that there is a zero instead of the letter o in my email address shown.
blick068@hotmail.com
14 Ed // Jun 12, 2010 at 11:08 am
Looking for a police call box anyone has or know who is selling let me know vial email.
dobleman2506@comcast.net
Thank you.
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