Valley Girl Views: The Edison Plant in Shamokin PA

In February 1953, the remains of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Shamokin were discovered during excavation to enlarge the Jones Hardware Company Storeroom.

Foundation wall of old Edison plant uncovered

The foundation of the former Edison electric illuminating company of Shamokin, which approximately 70 years ago was the first electric concern in the world established by investment of local capital, has been uncovered in the rear of Jones hardware store, 115 E independence St. where a building expansion project is now in progress.

Discovery of the foundation prompted a News-Dispatch reporter to contact several local “Old Timers” OK and check Time Warner records and publications for a review of the Edison Company's history.

Sunbury is credited with being the first community in the world where a three-wire electric light station was installed and overhead conductors used on the streets, the Shamokin concern was the first of its type to be organized. The local company received its state charter of incorporation November 29th 1882.

Old records indicate actual operation of the Shamokin company trailed the opening of the Sunbury concern because of the vast difference in the character of construction and superior and more extensive equipment used in the local plant.

The Shamokin power station a one story building was located at the present site of Jones hardware store. Three Dynamos, four feet high, were installed in what is now the display room of the store. A boiler house was located in the rear of the building near the railroad tracks.

Tom A period Edison arrived in Shamokin in the early fall of 1882 and supervised organization of the local company. The concern was organized with a capital investment of $27,000. Original members of the board of directors were William H. Douty, president: William Beury, Secretary: John Mullen, treasurer: Andrew Robertson C.C. Leader, P.B. Shaw and Holden Chester.

The Shamokin investors were among the first in the world to recognize the significance of Edison's invention they notified Edison before his arrival in Shamokin of their plan to financially sponsor the construction of a power station. Edison was 35 years old when he arrived in Shamokin, and had not yet reached world wide fame. He was accompanied by Samuel Insul, who later became a multimillionaire utility promoter.

Edison himself credited the Sunbury plant as being the 1st power station in the world to begin operating. In a letter written August 5th 1914, and postmarked Orange N. J. The “Boy Wizard” so the Sunbury plant began operating July 4th 1883 and that operation of the Shamokin patient, the second of its type, started soon after.

In the communication, Eddison said his recollections of Shamokin and Sunbury plants have always been pleasant. He recalled the original members of the local company's board of directors and said there were “a lot of good fellows” in both towns.

John McEliece, veteran of the civil war, was placed in charge of the motive power and machinery at the Shamokin station. Howard Gass and William S. Hetrick were his assistants. First Superintendent manager was William Brock, a former Pennsylvania railroad telegrapher. Historically Shamokin can claim that St. Edward church was the first church in the world to be lighted by electricity.

The first home in Shamokin to be eliminated by electricity was that of “Aunt Kitty” Martz, which later became the residence of the late former Senator W. C. McConnell. Because of rumors that electrically charged wires were a fire hazard, “Aunt Kitty” restricted the initial wiring to the kitchen.

First business establishment in Shamokin to be wired was the “Brownstone Front” Sunbury and rock streets, which was then owned by William Douty. The building was wired on the 1st floor where Abe Strauss, pioneer merchant, operated a store. The former “Brownstone Front” was recently sold by Shamokin coal Township library association to H. Wilson Lark.

While it's Shamokin, Edison visited the photography studio of the late Myron Thomas. The Shamokin photographer later made many copies of Edison’s portrait. The inventor sent the photos to friends in various sections of the world.

Construction of the local electric plant, the Independence St. location was described as “low-lying And swampy and the habitat of frogs, lizards and mosquitoes.”

Shortly before the turn of the century, the independence St. power station was demolished.

Shamokin council, Knights of Columbus, constructed a building at the of the independent St. plant in 1901. Jones hardware company began operating at that location in 1915.

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