It wasn’t always possible for folks to check in with their friends and family members using their phones. Back then, in order to hear that lovely voice on the other end of the line, one had to insert coins into the payphone, turn the dial, and wait for the line to connect.
Many people, particularly college students from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, saw the “phone booth” as more than just a practical device—rather, it served as a peaceful haven away from the bustle of the residence halls.
Have you ever noticed these strange small niches with a light bulb above and occasionally a shelf where the phone used to be when you’re standing in front of the former student residence halls? These weren’t only abandoned niches; these were phone booths or phone niches, which were formerly an essential part of campus social life.
