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Kelley, Iowa: Phone Booth - Welcome to Kelley

Charming 20th century public phone booth, apparently under surveillance by locals who want to call you with a welcome. Stand inside and wait for your greeting.

Address:
Giddings St., Kelley, IA
Directions:
Downtown. North side of Giddings St./CR E57 a block west of the water tower.
Admission:
Free.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Phone Booth - Welcome to Kelley

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Phone Booth - Welcome to Kelley

Been waiting about 10 minutes. Can't make an outgoing call, but the number is listed, and I called myself to see if it worked, which it did. Would have loved to have gotten a call.

[Chantal Roberts, 05/13/2017]
Phone Booth - Welcome to Kelley

This phone is still working! We had to wait a while, but we finally received a call after a very nice local person, walking along, noticed us waiting and offered to let the keeper of the phone booth know we were there. The keeper is a very friendly, funny, and feisty woman you will never forget chatting with!

[Dee, 09/05/2014]
Phone Booth - Welcome to Kelley

Not worth trip. I know it was 4 years since the last "tip," but this phone booth never rang! I don't believe it ever did or ever gave a quarter. I sat for 25 minutes with nothing. The phone won't even make outgoing calls. [Joe, 07/24/2014]

That's disappointing. Unless the phone booth has evolved into some kind of moral test: if the occupant gets impatient and looks in the change return for a quarter before getting a call, then none of the (secretly) observing locals will make the call!

Phone booth.

Phone Booth - Welcome to Kelley

I drove to Kelley, and noticed something I hadn't seen in many, many years... A stand alone full-functioning phone booth!! It was in great condition. After I had taken a few pictures, the phone began to ring. I answered the phone and a woman on the other end of the phone said to me: "Welcome to our city..." It was such a nice touch.

When I hung up, I put my finger in the coin return and, of course, there was a quarter! Later on, I found out that someone puts quarters in the coin return all the time. Nice little town with very friendly people.

[Britt Marley, 07/18/2010]

There are many classic public phone booths still around, but it's rare for one to survive as the social and financial hub of a town. (Note: No more tips on phone booths -- unless they are time machines or filled with college student taxidermy.)


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In the region:
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