Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | June 1883 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | Washington, D.C., Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia |
| Parent | Verizon Communications (DC, Maryland, Virginia subsidiaries) |
The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, widely recognized as C&P Telephone, served as the trade name for four Bell Operating Companies providing telephone services across Washington, D.C., Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.
At present, three of these entities—The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company (DC), The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Maryland, and The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia—operate as subsidiaries under Verizon Communications. Meanwhile, The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of West Virginia is owned by Frontier Communications.
The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company (DC)
Established in June 1883, the C&P Telephone Company offered telecommunication services within Washington, D.C. A notable historical event includes President Richard Nixon’s 1969 Apollo 11 call, which was facilitated through C&P equipment, marking a landmark in the industry.
The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Maryland
Originally founded in 1884 as The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Baltimore City, it was rebranded in 1956 to The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Maryland. During World War II, the company adjusted its employment practices by integrating African-Americans into white-collar positions due to workforce shortages; however, telephone operator roles remained segregated until 1974 when Hermie Graham was hired in Baltimore’s Govans neighborhood.
This company’s progression illustrates its strategic adaptation to labor challenges and shifting social dynamics affecting its workforce and business operations.
The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia
Formed in 1903, this company played a significant role as a regional telecommunications provider in Virginia.
In 2010, Verizon divested its operations in Alleghany County, Virginia—including service areas such as Crows and Hematite—to Frontier Communications of Virginia, a Frontier Communications subsidiary. This transaction was part of a broader asset sale related to the central office located in West Virginia.
Changes
After AT&T revamped its corporate identity in 1969 by introducing the Saul Bass-designed Bell logo, the four C&P companies adopted the abbreviated C&P Telephone branding for both marketing initiatives and billing purposes.
The breakup of the Bell System in 1984 resulted in C&P Telephone becoming part of Bell Atlantic, one of the Regional Bell Operating Companies (commonly called Baby Bells).
In 1994, Bell Atlantic renamed its operating companies as follows:
- Bell Atlantic – Maryland, Inc.
- Bell Atlantic – Virginia, Inc.
- Bell Atlantic – Washington, D.C., Inc.
- Bell Atlantic – West Virginia, Inc.
Following Bell Atlantic’s merger with GTE in 2000, the merged organization took on the Verizon brand. Accordingly, the former C&P subsidiaries were renamed:
- Verizon Maryland, Inc.
- Verizon Virginia, Inc.
- Verizon Washington, DC, Inc.
- Verizon West Virginia, Inc.
Verizon withdrew from the West Virginia wireline market in 2010 by selling Verizon West Virginia to Frontier Communications; this entity was subsequently renamed Frontier West Virginia, Inc.
In 2011, Verizon Virginia transitioned to a limited liability company under the name Verizon Virginia LLC. Later, in December 2012, Verizon Maryland, Inc. merged into a Delaware-incorporated entity called Verizon Maryland LLC, reflecting corporate restructuring efforts aimed at operational efficiency.