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