Legacy of Voice.
We’re big enough to get the job done, and small enough to care that it’s done right.
We’ve been in the telephone industry for nearly a century, long enough to experience major changes in technology. Going back to our roots, our staff is filled with expertise in every field. We can truly say with confidence that we know voice, inside and out.
We’ve grown from being just a local business to state-wide. Along the way, we've kept our focus on what's important to our clients - doing business with people who care. You want the newest and the best technology, and we're bringing it to rural Indiana businesses.
A Family of Visionaries
Guy A. Draper
President (1930 - 1942)
Smithville® Communications, Inc.
Mr. Draper acquired the company from a local telephone engineer in 1930 and immediately began to nurture its growth. Unfortunately, his leadership ended in 1942 with his untimely passing. His son Byron A. Draper followed in his footsteps as an entrepreneur.
Cullen H. McCarty
President (Current)
Smithville® Digital, Inc.
Smithville® Digital was formed in 2003 with Mr. McCarty as President. His leadership produced a fiber-optic network focused on enterprise-level services. Digital is currently laying as many as four new fiber locations each week, rapidly expanding the network.
The Digital Heritage
1922
J. K. Johnston establishes a communications system to connect major Monroe County quarries at Clear Creek, Smithville, and Ellettsville. Mr. Johnston founds his new company in Smithville, Indiana.
1933
Guy A. Draper acquires Smithville®. To this day, Smithville® remains in his family with the current President and Vice President.1942
Byron A. Draper assumes ownership after his father's passing and leads Smithville® through a new era of technological innovation.1955
Smithville® begins acquiring new exchanges across southern Indiana and converts all from manual operation to dial technology.
1969
Draper acquires the final exchange, forming Smithville®'s current residential service area.
1974
Patricia A. Earles, Draper's daughter, takes over as Smithville®'s President and Chairman of the Board following his passing.1980
Ms. Earles starts an eleven-year process to convert all twelve Smithville® exchanges to digital service, adopting the technology still used by all major telephone companies.
1991
The first fiber optic ring is lit, connecting Ellettsville, Stanford, and Smithville central offices with Indiana Bell's Bloomington facilities.1998
William H. Earles succeeds his wife, Patricia, to become President and Chairman of the Board.2000
Mr. Earles leads Smithville® into the new millennium by adding a company dedicated to Long Distance and high-speed Internet service.2003
William Earles passes away. President and CEO of Smithville® Communications, Darby A. McCarty takes the reins, directing Smithville® into a new age of modern technology.2003
Smithville® Digital is formed with Cullen H. McCarty as President of the new enterprise-level service branch of Smithville®.2008
Smithville® Communications begins a $90 million overbuild to convert all residential and business customers to a full fiber optic network.