In 1950, telephones were few in number or non-existent for the farmers, ranchers and businesses in rural Wilbarger county.  Telephone companies in the area were just not interested in building miles of telephone line to reach customers "off the beaten path," so telephone service was only available to the residents in town or along a highway.

Led by  Carl G. Freeling, community leaders began meeting to discuss a telephone loan program sponsored by the Rural Electrification Administration, a branch of the federal government that had helped to extend electric service to rural areas across the country.  These men were dedicated and enthusiastic and volunteered their time to plan, survey and gather signatures and information needed to prepare for the organization of Santa Rosa Telephone Cooperative and the initial application for a telephone loan.   As word spread, residents in adjoining counties wanted their areas included.

In 1952, the first loan was made to install lines and equipment for Wilbarger county and the counties of Hardeman Foard and Clay.  Before this construction was completed, people in Cotton and Jackson counties of Oklahoma were requesting telephone service.   Eventually, the counties of Childress, Knox and Baylor received this needed service also.

The first service provide had eight parties on each line.  This was not a problem however, because most customers initially used their telephones for business and emergency calls.  For most it was their first contact directly from their homes to their communities and beyond, saving many trips to town and providing security for them and their property.  Beginning in 1982, all customers received private line service.

Today, telephone service is available and affordable to anyone who desires it.   Santa Rosa Telephone Cooperative provides service to approximately 8000 customers.

PATRONAGE CAPITAL ALLOCATIONS

Santa Rosa Telephone cooperative struggled during its early years, as any new company does.  Santa Rosa did not show a profit until 1969 when the first Patronage Capital Allocation was made to the customers.

Since 1969 Santa Rosa has prospered and made a profit every year.   When and if the Cooperative makes a profit at the end of the year, it is allocated to the customers who had service during that year in the form of Patronage Capital Allocations.  The allocations are based on a factor of the profit and the amount each customer paid on their phone bill for the year.  The Board of Directors then determines when the Cooperative is financially able to refund an allocation and designates what year will be refunded.

In the past Santa Rosa has made twelve Patronage Capital Refunds and has refunded the years 1969 through 1990 with the last refund occurring on December 15, 2005.

It is very important for the current and past members to keep Santa Rosa updated with a current mailing address.  Customers as far back as ten years  could be getting a Patronage Capital refund in the mail.  If you know someone that has moved several times, please have them call our office at 1-888-886-2217 and we will update our records.  If you know of someone deceased who had service any time during 1990 through the present period, please have the executor of the estate call our office to see if there are any Patronage Capital Allocations that can be refunded to the estate.   Santa Rosa makes every effort to get all current mailing addresses and to located customers with refunds, but your help is greatly appreciated.