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Inland Cellular's First Hall of Fame Inductee

Founder, Harold Weis

Inland Cellular's First Hall of Fame Inductee

Founder, Harold Weis

 

Harold was born on a small farm in the Inland Northwest and was 1 of 5 siblings. Harold lied about his age to enter the U.S. Navy at 17 years of age and went to Farragut Boot Camp/State Park and Naval Base just North of Coeur d’Alene.  He had the honor of serving his country during World War 2 and after the war ended, Harold went back home to marry Marian in 1946. They had 3 sons.


While in the Navy, Harold was trained in low voltage electronics, working with instruments on several aircraft.  After returning home, he began working on the family farm and also started working/maintaining local telephone lines. He would change out pole lights, or whatever was needed to make a few dollars. Harold would remain in the telephone business until 1989 when he made his debut in the cellular industry.

  • 1951 - Prescott Telephone & Telegraph

    What would become Inland Networks gets started when Harold and Marian Weis buy Prescott Telephone and Telegraph company – Harold ran the company, and Marian worked as the switchboard operator.  Alan, their first son is born.

  • 1954 - New Central Office

    Harold builds a new Central Office in Prescott. This is built to replace the existing switchboard which resided in their home. Marian retires from the switchboard. Doug, their second son is born.

  • 1960 - Cascade Telephone and Telegraph

    Harold and Marian buy Roslyn’s Cascade Telephone and Telegraph

  • 1962 - Inland Telephone

    The company becomes Inland Telephone with the purchase of the Uniontown / Colton exchange – then expands again by buying a TV Cable system in Roslyn.

  • 1963 - Expansion

    Expanded their network in the Roslyn area by building a plant to Ronald and then Lake Cle Elum. Lenore, Idaho exchange is added.

  • 1971 - Inland Paging

    Started Inland Paging, which provided paging service in the quad cities north to Spokane and west to Walla Walla

  • 1987 - Sercurity Alarms

    Company enters into Security Alarm and Medical Monitoring systems business

  • 1989 - Partnerships

    The company enters into partnerships with Pioneer Telephone as well as St. John Telephone, breaking into the cellular business. The birth of Inland Cellular happens with Inland Telephone being the General Partner serving Moses Lake, Pullman, Clarkston, and Walla Walla

  • 1994 - Other Parts of Idaho

    Company enters into an agreement to serve parts of Idaho: Lewiston, Moscow, Orofino.

  • 1951 - Prescott Telephone & Telegraph

    What would become Inland Networks gets started when Harold and Marian Weis buy Prescott Telephone and Telegraph company – Harold ran the company, and Marian worked as the switchboard operator and Alan is born.

  • 1954 - New Central Office

    Harold builds a new Central Office in Prescott. This is built to replace the switchboard in their home. Marian’s days on the switchboard are over, and Doug is born.

  • 1960 - Cascade Telephone and Telegraph

    Harold and Marian buy Roslyn’s Cascade Telephone and Telegraph

  • 1962 - Inland Telephone

    Company becomes Inland Telephone with the purchase of the Uniontown / Colton exchange – then expands again by buying a TV Cable system in Roslyn.

  • 1963 - Expansion

    Expanded their network in the Roslyn area by building a plant to Ronald and then Lake Cle Elum. Lenore, Idaho exchange is added.

  • 1971 - Inland Paging

    Started Inland Paging, which provided paging service in the quad cities north to Spokane and west to Walla Walla

  • 1987 - Sercurity Alarms

    Company enters into Security Alarm and Medical Monitoring systems business

  • 1989 - Partnerships

    Company enters into partnerships with Pioneer Telephone and St. John Telephone and breaks into cellular business, and the birth of Inland Cellular, with Inland Telephone being the General Partner serving Moses Lake, Pullman, Clarkston, and Walla Walla

  • 1994 - Other Parts of Idaho

    Company enters into an agreement to serve parts of Idaho: Lewiston, Moscow, Orofino.

Thank you Harold.

Harold worked hard and continued to be innovative and build Inland into the large company that it is today.  He was heavily involved in the company until the time of his passing, and he didn’t let a diagnosis of cancer in the early 1990’s keep him from going to work. He continued acquiring land for sites and growing the company until November 1994. Harold lost his 8 month battle to cancer and passed away in February 1995.

 

He was a true pioneer in our industry.  We are all thankful for the work and time he had put into this company and we have him to thank for the chance we all have now to 

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