The Connection 1906-1963 Artist: Windi Scott-Hansen, Stony Plain, AB Size: 128 sq. ft. 1991 In 1906, Alberta Government Telephones was founded and shortly after, a telephone office was installed in Stony Plain. Ottilia (Tilly) Zucht (at the switchboard) was 13 years old when she became a telephone operator. The exchange was then in the office of the local newspaper The Advertiser on the west side of Main Street. Ida Smith was chief operator from 1923 to 1943. She is portrayed with her daughter Charlotte outside the telephone exchange. In August 1963, Stony Plain became part of the Edmonton exchange and no longer required a local operator.