November 21, 1901 - The Telephone Franchise proposal carried 48-1.
January 19, 1903 - The Collins Telephone Company now serves 152 patrons, 76 town and 76 country. These are party lines, generally 5-8 users per line. Each user has a specified ring such as; 2 rings(R),
3-R, 4-R, 5-R, 1 long and 1 short R, l long and 2 short R, 2 longs and 1 short R.
January 28, 1909 - Farmer Phone bills to be paid quarterly.
April 7, 1927 - The Collins Telephone Co. is sold to Central Iowa Telephone Co. headquarters at Traer, Iowa.
1980 update - Telephone company now part of network of stations managed by General Telephone Co., headquarters at Grinnell, Iowa. The phones are now private or serve private lines with direct dialing. The local operator, called "Central" of the early days, is eliminated. Pearl Torry, Cora Crabb, Bessie Dodd, Grace Perrin and Frances Gilley are central operators still living in Collins.
October 4, 1897 - Council permits any resident wishing to place a Gas Light Generator in the street or alley in a manner as not to obstruct general traffic.
March 23, 1899 - F. A. Leonard has a new lamp on exhibition that is attracting considerable attention. It is called the White Light Gas lamp and is well named. Gasoline is used in this lamp with perfect safety.
May 8, 1902 - Committee on Street Lamps (Thomas Holmes, Paul Stevens, H. J. Patterson) reported had purchased lamp that has tested satisfactory for $12.00. Committee authorized to buy 2nd lamp. It was made the duty of the "town marshal" to light lamps and care for them. (Insert 2003: Do you recall the popular song, "The Old Lamplighter?"
March 25, 1915 - A special meeting of the town council for the purpose of completing arrangements for electric lights - rates comparable to other towns similar to Collins. Proposal will be put to public vote. Proposal defeated.
July 2, 1925 - C. E. Lookingbill sold the Collins Electric Company to Iowa Railway & Light Co. Mr. Lookingbill has owned the light company for the past several years. (Insert 2003: Date company established not known)
Update 1940-41 - Iowa Electric Light & Power serves town of Collins and part of the rural area. The Rural Electric Coop (U. S. Government sponsored) is planning to build in rural areas not served by Iowa Electric. (Insert 2003: The southwest corner of Collins township and far northwest corner of adjourning Jasper County received electricity in 1946-48. Great day in country.)