Mamie O'Toole

While nearly all early Antelope Valley railroad telegraph operators were male, Mamie O’Toole began working at the Mojave railroad depot around 1899. She essentially paved the way for other local female telegraph operators, such as Mary Rayburn of Rosamond and Mrs. Mair of Palmdale.

While it is not known what her male counterparts thought of her work, the townspeople referred to her as a “crack telegrapher” for her fast and accurate work.

O’Toole is pictured here, c. 1900, with her fellow male coworkers at the Mojave railroad depot.

"Gurba, Norma H. Legendary Locals of the Antelope Valley. Arcadia, 2013.

Photo courtesy of MOAH Collections"