Beatrice Lang
The Electric Light Works Building, also known as the Gesa Power House Theatre, is a notable building in Walla Walla, Washington, that has played a significant role in the city's growth and success. The building's history with electricity in Walla Walla dates back to the late 19th century and spans several decades, with various companies and technologies involved in bringing electricity to the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date electricity was brought to Walla Walla | 1890 |
| Building that supplied electricity | Electric Light Works Building |
| Company that owned the building | Walla Walla Gas Company |
| Year the building was bought by Northwestern Gas and Electric Company | 1904 |
| Company that created the Walla Walla Valley Traction Company | Northwestern Gas and Electric Company |
| Year the Walla Walla Valley Traction Company was created | 1906 |
| Year the plant was bought by Pacific Power and Light Company | 1910 |
| Architect who designed the substation | Henry Osterman |
| Year the building was renovated | 1948 |
| Year the building was registered on the National Register of Historic Places | 2011 |
| Year electricity was brought to rural areas of Walla Walla | 1935 |
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What You'll Learn
The Electric Light Works Building
The building was originally constructed in 1890 by the Walla Walla Gas Company to produce coal gas and distribute it through underground pipes to light the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla. It was then converted into an electric plant with a steam engine. However, this plant could not generate enough electricity to meet the needs of the growing city. As a result, the building changed hands several times in 1909 and 1910, with various companies attempting to expand electricity in Walla Walla. During this time, the plant was enlarged, and the Northwestern Gas and Electric Company built the Walla Walla River hydroelectric plant, which provided a new and improved source of power to the city.
In 1910, an addition was made to the Electric Light Works Building, creating a two-story brick substation. This substation was designed by Henry Osterman, a prominent architect who resided in Walla Walla. The building continued to be used until the late 1960s but fell into disrepair. In 1972, parts of the old gas plant were demolished, leaving only a portion of the original 1890 structure and the 1910 addition. For the next four decades, the building remained vacant until Pacific Power and Light donated it to the Port of Walla Walla in December 1994.
In 2011, the Electric Light Works Building was recognised for its historical significance and was registered on the National Register of Historic Places. That same year, renovations began to transform the building into a theatre for the performing arts. Today, the building stands as a local landmark in Walla Walla, regularly hosting plays and various events. It serves as a symbol of the city's evolving culture and history, showcasing the advancements in power technology during the 20th century.
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Northwestern Gas and Electric Company
The Electric Light Works Building, a notable building in Walla Walla, Washington, played a crucial role in the city's growth and success. Initially, the building was used by the Walla Walla Gas Company, which was established in 1889, to produce coal gas for lighting the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla.
In 1903, the Northwestern Gas and Electric Company entered the scene by acquiring the Walla Walla Gas Company. This acquisition marked a significant step towards expanding electricity in Walla Walla and Pendleton, Oregon. As part of their plans, they constructed the Walla Walla River hydroelectric plant, which was a pioneering facility that utilised significant engineering advancements. This new plant provided an improved source of power to both Walla Walla and Pendleton.
In 1906, the Northwestern Gas and Electric Company demonstrated further initiative by establishing the Walla Walla Valley Traction Company. This venture provided electric streetcar and interurban transportation services throughout Walla Walla and to nearby communities such as Milton-Freewater, Oregon. With 12 miles of streetcar tracks, the busier routes offered frequent departures, with streetcars running every 20 minutes. This transportation system thrived until it was eventually overtaken by the widespread use of automobiles.
The Northwestern Gas and Electric Company's ownership of the plant changed hands several times between 1909 and 1910. During this period, the plant underwent expansions and design enhancements, including the construction of a two-story brick substation designed by the prominent architect Henry Osterman. The substation, built in 1910, represented a significant milestone in the evolution of electricity in Walla Walla.
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Walla Walla Valley Traction Company
The Walla Walla Valley Traction Company was incorporated on May 17, 1905, and was franchised by Walla Walla to operate trolleys within city limits. The company was organised by Northwestern Gas and Electric (also known as Northwest Gas and Electric) to provide electric streetcar and interurban transportation to the city.
The company's streetcar network covered 12 miles within Walla Walla and extended 14 miles to the Oregon towns of Milton and Freewater, often referred to jointly as Milton-Freewater. The streetcars ran every twenty minutes on busier routes and hourly on interurban routes, carrying as many as 1,285,000 passengers annually before the rise of automobiles. The Walla Walla Valley Traction Company also connected to other railway lines, including those of Union Pacific, creating a network that served the agricultural fruit and vegetable economy of southern Washington and northern Oregon.
The Walla Walla Valley Traction Company was sold in 1909 to Pacific Power & Light, which generated the railroad's power at its substation on 6th Street in Walla Walla. With the sale, the company was renamed the Walla Walla Valley Railway. In 1921, the Northern Pacific subsidiary Northwestern Improvement Company bought the Walla Walla Valley Railway, which it used to access Milton, where Union Pacific had a near-monopoly on lucrative agricultural traffic. Passenger services ended in 1931, and by the late 1940s, all electric services were replaced with diesel.
The introduction of electricity to Walla Walla began in the late 1800s with the Walla Walla Gas Company, which initially produced coal gas for lighting streets, businesses, and homes. In 1890, the company built the Electric Light Works Building, which was later converted into an electric plant with a steam engine. However, this plant could not produce enough electricity, and the Northwestern Gas and Electric Company bought the Walla Walla Gas Company in 1903. The new owner constructed the Walla Walla River hydroelectric plant, providing an improved power source for Walla Walla and Pendleton.
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Walla Walla River hydroelectric plant
In the late 1800s, the Walla Walla Gas Company built a facility to produce coal gas for lighting the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla. This facility, known as the Electric Light Works Building, was located on North Sixth Avenue at the corner of Rose and Sixth Streets. In 1890, the building was converted into an electric plant with a steam engine, but it could not produce enough electricity for the city.
In 1903, the Walla Walla Gas and Electric Company sold the utility to the Northwestern Gas and Electric Company for $10. This company then constructed the Walla Walla River hydroelectric plant, which provided a new and improved source of power to Walla Walla and Pendleton, Oregon. The hydroelectric plant was one of the first to utilise significant engineering advancements, and it was one of the first substations in Washington State to convert hydropower to electricity.
The Electric Light Works Building changed ownership several times between 1909 and 1910, eventually being purchased by Pacific Power and Light Company. In 1910, an addition was made to the building, with the construction of a two-story brick substation designed by German architect Henry Osterman. The building continued to be used until the late 1960s but fell into disrepair. In 1972, parts of the old gas plant were demolished, leaving only a portion of the original 1890 structure and the 1910 addition.
In 1994, Pacific Power and Light donated the building to the Port of Walla Walla, and it was registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. The interior of the building was transformed into a performing arts theatre, known as the Gesa Power House Theatre, modelled after the Blackfriars Theatre in London. Today, the building stands as a symbol of Walla Walla's history and evolving culture, hosting plays and various other events.
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Rural Electrification Administration (REA)
The Electric Light Works Building, a notable building in Walla Walla, Washington, played a crucial role in the city's growth and success. The building's history with electricity in Walla Walla can be traced back to the late 19th century.
In 1881, the Walla Walla Gas Company acquired property at the corner of Rose and Sixth Streets, where they built a facility for manufacturing gas and, later, electricity. This facility was sold to the Walla Walla Gas and Electric Company in 1889, and then to Northwestern Gas and Electric in 1903.
In the early 20th century, the Electric Light Works Building served as a substation, supplying Walla Walla with electricity. It was one of the first substations in Washington State to convert hydropower to electricity. During this time, Northwestern Gas and Electric Company expanded electricity in Walla Walla and the nearby areas. They also established the Walla Walla Valley Traction Company in 1906, providing electric streetcar transportation.
However, despite these advancements, there was still a significant rural-urban divide in access to electricity in the mid-1930s to 1950s. While most townspeople in Walla Walla had electricity since the 1920s, only 19.6% of farmers and rural residents had electric service by 1935. This disparity was due to the low population density in rural areas, making it challenging for power companies to profit from extending electric lines.
To address this issue, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) in 1935. The REA was created with the goal of promoting electrification in rural areas and providing loan capital to make electric service more accessible. The initial plan was to provide funds for existing electric companies to expand their services into rural regions. However, the electric power industry was sceptical about the profitability of serving farms and rural residences. As a result, only seven investor-owned utilities borrowed funds for rural electrification in the REA's first year.
In conclusion, while Walla Walla had access to electricity as early as the late 19th century, it was not until the mid-20th century that efforts like the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) addressed the disparities in access between urban and rural areas. The REA played a crucial role in encouraging electrification in rural communities and improving their quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
The Electric Light Works Building, a local landmark, started out as a substation in the early 20th century, supplying Walla Walla with electricity. It was built in 1890 by the Walla Walla Gas Company to produce coal gas and carry it underground to light the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla.
Most townspeople in Walla Walla experienced the benefits of electric service since the 1920s.
In 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) to encourage the electrification of the nation's rural areas. However, it wasn't until the mid-1930s, 40s, and 50s that most rural areas in Walla Walla received electricity.
The Northwestern Gas and Electric Company bought the Walla Walla Gas Company in 1903 and supplied electricity to Walla Walla and Pendleton, Oregon.
