We haven't been to Utah yet for an interview, so I think it's time we went. We're talking with Ed Lowe, who lives near St. George, Utah, with his wife Dorothy. They are both friendly, nice, and very easy to talk with. Ed is the insulator collector, so we'll chat mostly with him.

It was in 1968 that Ed first became interested in insulators. He was working for the Pacific Telephone Company, and was surprised to see an insulator in an antique shop. He also purchased Tibbitts' three books around that same time, and was hooked!

They collect general glass and porcelain, but they also like old telephones and go-withs from the telephone industry. Ed says, "I especially like the old historical insulators such as the wood block ramshorn, Mulford and Biddle UPRR threadless, etc."

They have about 1,000 insulators in their collection, all beautifully displayed in a glass-enclosed room. They built their lovely home a few years ago in Ivins, and although the photos won't show the color, there are red rock cliffs and green cedar trees visible from the windows.

Ed and Dorothy have a big motorhome in which they do quite a bit of traveling. They are also in the process of building a mountain hideaway. I'll let Ed tell you about it. "It is a log cabin and is nestled in the pines on Kolob Mountain. You have to drive through some of Zion National Park to get to our place. It is a breathtaking trip, as the red rocks and vistas are beautiful all the way up the mountain! Dorothy says we are in the second phase of our retirement; building while we can still get around. The third phase is the old rocking chair on the cabin porch! Of course, the first phase was motorhoming, and we have put about 50,000 miles on ours. We're still looking for those elusive insulators and enjoying collecting all things related to telephony."

Ed was born in the Big Apple, New York City, February 27,1926. He has also lived in Michigan, Florida, California, and now Utah. He and Dorothy met about 1975, at the telephone company central office. They were married April 7, 1983. Ed was a telephone lineman, construction and splicing foreman, maintenance supervisor, and engineer, before retiring in 1982. Dorothy is also retired from Pacific Bell since 1985. They have five daughters ranging in age from 22 to 30.

This old redwood pole (1890) and the one on the next 
page were on the Escondido-Vista-Oceanside 
(California) spur of the A.T.S.F. railroad

Dorothy shares Ed's interest in insulators, but she's not the avid collector he is. Ed also enjoys woodworking as a hobby, while Dorothy collects antiques and glass chickens. Ed gives his main "want" as a glass teapot, or a pluto.

Ed has two insulators of his listed in Milholland's book, and one in Gerald Brown's book. Another achievement of which he is proud... being chosen as "Man of the Year" at his church. He adds, "I may be old, but I can still climb poles! (Short ones. ) I hope to locate old insulators in many places not yet explored.

(Above) Ed took eight different types of insulators off the A.T.S.F. railroad spur.

"I am glad to be a part of this hobby, and have met a number of fine people involved in collecting. On my first ventures, in the late 60's, it was fun to carry a box of 'traders', and meet neophyte collectors, too. It was always trading time and no one was aware of prices. Too bad that money has become so important to some' collectors'. I still enjoy the shows and the people involved."

As we leave Utah and the colorful red rock country, here's hoping that we see the Lowes at many more shows in the future.

Part of Ed's insulator room (note the raindrops on the roof and 
windows -- one can almost smell the wet sage in the background)

Ed holding the porcelain teapot with more insulators
in the background and those beautiful red rock cliffs.