Area code 312
Area code 312 is the telephone area code for the Chicago Loop and surrounding areas of the city of Chicago, Illinois. Prior to the split on November 11, 1989, forming 708 (for much of the suburbs), 312 area code originally served much of Greater Chicago. From November 11, 1989, to October 12, 1996, 312 served only the entire city of Chicago, 773 was assigned for the remainder of the city outside the downtown area on that day. It is roughly bounded by North Avenue on the north, Ashland Avenue on the west, and 31st Street on the south, with Lake Michigan to the east. By size, it is one of the smallest area codes in the nation, encompassing only a few square miles. Since November 7, 2009, both 312 and 773 are overlaid by 872.
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[edit] History
Area code 312 was one of the original 86 area codes created in 1947, then called "Numbering Plan Areas". With the rotary dialing technology available at the time, care was given to keep the number of "clicks" to a minimum for large cities, hence Chicago being assigned a code with only six clicks.
The first production #4ESS toll switch was installed in January 1976.[1]
[edit] In popular culture
- Goose Island Brewery brews an ale named "312 Urban Wheat Ale".[2]
- A restaurant at the Kimpton Hotels operated Hotel Allegro, at LaSalle and Randolph Streets in the Loop, is named "312 Chicago".[3]
- When 312 covered the entire city, city residents would derisively call suburbanites "708ers" in reference to their area code.[citation needed]
- The Chicago-based Christian rock group Resurrection Band released a song called "Area 312" on their 1982 album D.M.Z.[4]
- Portions of the film RoboCop 2 were filmed in the Chicago area. A telephone number written on an abandoned building is (312) 555-7890.
- The Snoop Dogg song "That's That", contains the lyrics: "Girl if you ever in the 312, holla at a playa".
- The music project Radio Flyer used (312) as a track title.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Telephone World
- ^ "312 Urban Wheat". Goose Island Brewery. 2009. http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/312_urban_wheat/16.php. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
- ^ "Dining-Hotel Allegro". Hotel Allegro. 2009. http://www.allegrochicago.com/alleg_ser_dining.html. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
- ^ Area 312 at Allmusic
[edit] External links
- Map of Illinois area codes at North American Numbering Plan Administration's website
- List of exchanges from AreaCodeDownload.com, 312 Area Code
| Illinois area codes: 217, 224, 309, 312, 331, 618, 630, 708, 773, 779, 815, 847, 872 | ||
|---|---|---|
| North: 773 | ||
| West: 773 | area code 312 (overlaid by 872) | East: Lake Michigan |
| South: 773 | ||
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