Umair Gaines
Wheeling, West Virginia, has a long history of innovation in electricity. The village of Power, a mill town along the Ohio River, was formed in 1917 to house workers of the Windsor Power Plant, which provided electricity for the northern panhandle and beyond. This wasn't the beginning of electricity in Wheeling, however. In 1882, the Wheeling Electric Light Company first demonstrated electric lighting in the city, and by 1892, municipal electric street lights had arrived in Wheeling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date when electricity was started in Wheeling, WV | 17th April 1892 |
| Date when the city was authorized to erect or purchase a plant for the generation of electricity | 17th February 1891 |
| First company to supply electricity in Wheeling, WV | Wheeling Electrical Company |
| Date when the Wheeling Electrical Company was first used | 13th September 1882 |
| Date when Wheeling Electrical Company supplied power to over 500 customers | 1900 |
| Date when the Wheeling Electrical Company purchased other electric companies | 1900 |
| Date when the Wheeling Electrical Company was mentioned in Wheeling Intelligencer | 30th October 1928 |
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What You'll Learn
Wheeling Electric Light Company
The history of electricity in Wheeling, West Virginia, dates back to the late 19th century. The village of Power, West Virginia, was formed in 1917 to house workers at the Windsor Power Plant, which provided electricity to the region. However, the journey to electrification began decades earlier.
In 1878, Wheeling mayor and industrialist A. J. Sweeney observed electric lighting at the Exposition in Paris, France. Fascinated by the technology, he formed the Wheeling Electric Light Company with his sons, J. M. Sweeney and A. Sweeney. The company's first practical demonstration of electric lighting occurred on September 13, 1882, marking a significant moment in the city's history. The dynamo was placed in the shop of A. J. Sweeney & Son on Twelfth Street, initially serving a few private customers, with J. W. Grubb, a jeweler, being the first subscriber.
The Wheeling Electric Light Company faced initial resistance from city leaders concerned about the cost and unsure about electricity's longevity. However, the company persevered and, by 1890, electric lighting had become more prevalent in Wheeling. In 1891, the city was authorized to erect or purchase a plant for electricity generation, and in 1892, municipal electric streetlights were introduced to the city, with the city electric light plant commencing operations on April 17, 1892.
Over time, Wheeling Electrical (as it was later known) expanded its reach. By 1900, it supplied power to over 500 customers and began acquiring other electric companies. The invention of new methods for using coal in electricity production transformed Wheeling Electric, increasing its power capabilities. The construction of the Windsor Power Plant in 1916 solidified Wheeling's role in providing electricity to the region, powering the northern panhandle, western Pennsylvania, and parts of Ohio.
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Wheeling's first electric street lights
The introduction of electricity to Wheeling, West Virginia, was first proposed by the Brush Electric Company of Cleveland. In March 1882, the council passed an ordinance for the erection of poles and conducting business. The Wheeling Electric Light Company then took up the project, using the "Fuller patent". The dynamo was placed in the shop of A. J. Sweeney & Son on Twelfth Street and was first used to supply light to a few private customers. The first subscriber was J. W. Grubb, a jeweler, who had one light. The first practical demonstration took place on September 13, 1882.
On February 17, 1887, a new franchise was granted to Mr. Sweeney and his associates, who organized the Wheeling Electrical Company. However, this company did not supply electricity for street lighting. By act of the legislature in February 1891, the city was authorized to erect or purchase a plant for electricity generation and distribution for street lighting and private consumers. However, the city had to purchase the Wheeling Electrical Company's plant before providing electricity to private consumers.
Finally, on April 17, 1892, the city electric light plant was first put into operation. The electric streetlights were turned on for the first time in Wheeling on April 23, 1892. The Daily Intelligencer reported that "Wheeling is splendidly illuminated". The Suspension Bridge glowed under bright white beams, and even the few electric lights on the bridge were notable. The general verdict was that the lights were a success, and people wanted more. By 1900, Wheeling Electrical (now Wheeling Electric) supplied power to just over 500 customers and had started purchasing other electric companies.
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Wheeling Electrical Company
The history of electricity in Wheeling, West Virginia, can be traced back to the late 19th century, with the introduction of electric lighting. The city's journey towards electrification began with the efforts of Wheeling mayor and industrialist A. J. Sweeney, who was fascinated by electric lighting after observing it in Paris, France, during the 1878 Exposition.
Sweeney played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Wheeling Electrical Company, formed initially to bring electric lighting to the city. The company's first practical demonstration of electric lighting occurred on September 13, 1882, marking a significant milestone in the history of Wheeling. The dynamo was placed in the shop of A. J. Sweeney & Son on Twelfth Street, illuminating the streets and sparking wonder and curiosity among the gathered crowd.
The Wheeling Electrical Company continued to expand its operations, and by 1900, it supplied power to over 500 customers. The company also started purchasing other electric businesses, recognising the growing demand for electricity, especially in the lead-up to World War I. Wheeling's demand for power increased significantly, and the construction of the Windsor Power Plant in 1916 solidified the city's electrical capabilities.
The city of Wheeling also played a role in the electrification process. By an act of the legislature on February 17, 1891, the city was authorised to erect or purchase a plant for electricity generation. However, there was a provision that before providing electricity to private consumers, the city had to purchase the plant of the Wheeling Electrical Company. This dynamic between the city and the company continued, with similar legislation being enacted in 1901, reinforcing the city's permissions to own and operate a municipal electric plant.
The introduction of electricity in Wheeling, driven by the pioneering efforts of the Wheeling Electrical Company, transformed the city and marked a significant step towards modernisation, offering cleaner and safer illumination compared to traditional gas or kerosene lamps.
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Wheeling's power supply in the 1900s
Wheeling, West Virginia, got its first taste of electricity in 1882, when the Wheeling Electric Light Company used the "Fuller patent" to supply light to a few private customers. The first subscriber was J. W. Grubb, a jeweler, who had one light. The first practical demonstration took place on September 13, 1882, and many people gathered to witness this new form of illumination. However, it wasn't until a decade later, in 1892, that municipal electric street lights were introduced in Wheeling. The city electric light plant was first put into operation on April 17, 1892, and the lights were turned on for the first time on April 23, 1892.
In the early 1900s, Wheeling Electrical (later renamed Wheeling Electric) supplied power to just over 500 customers and began purchasing other electric companies. The discovery of new ways to use coal for electricity production in the 1910s transformed Wheeling Electric and expanded the area's power capabilities. To meet the growing demand for electricity, especially in big cities like Chicago and New York, the Windsor Power Plant was constructed in 1916. This plant was one of the most powerful in the country, providing electricity to the northern panhandle, western Pennsylvania, and as far west as Canton, Ohio.
The story of Wheeling's electrification is closely tied to A. J. Sweeney, the city's mayor, and prominent industrialist. After witnessing electric lighting in Paris, France, during the 1878 Exposition, Sweeney became fascinated by its potential to illuminate Wheeling. He formed the Wheeling Electrical Company with his two sons and advocated for the adoption of electric lighting in the city. Despite initial resistance from other city leaders due to cost concerns and uncertainty about electricity's longevity, Sweeney persevered, and his efforts eventually led to the electrification of the city's streets and public places.
By the late 1920s, the Wheeling Electricity Company had provided 46 years of service to the community, and the Windsor Power Plant continued to expand its generating capacity. In 1939, the plant received a 60,000-kilowatt steam-generating addition, showcasing the ongoing development of Wheeling's power supply infrastructure.
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The city's electric plant
The history of electricity in Wheeling, West Virginia, began in the late 19th century. The village mayor and prominent industrialist, A. J. Sweeney, first observed electric lighting in Paris, France, during the 1878 Exposition. He was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant to represent the United States at the event and returned to Wheeling excited about the potential of illuminating the city with electricity. Electric lighting offered a cleaner and safer alternative to gas or kerosene lamps for evening work and leisure.
Initially, city leaders were hesitant to invest in this new technology due to concerns about cost and uncertainty about its longevity. However, in March 1882, the council passed an ordinance allowing for the erection of poles and the conduction of business. The Wheeling Electric Light Company then took on the project, utilising the "Fuller patent." The dynamo was installed in the shop of A. J. Sweeney & Son on Twelfth Street, initially serving a small number of private customers. The first subscriber was J. W. Grubb, a jeweler who had one light.
On September 13, 1882, the electric light was demonstrated for the first time in Wheeling, marking a significant moment in the city's history. While some onlookers marvelled at this new form of illumination, others met it with ridicule or indifference. Despite the mixed reactions, Mr. Sweeney and his associates established the Wheeling Electrical Company and, with an ordinance from the city, expanded the use of electric lighting among businesses.
By 1891, the city was authorised to erect or purchase a plant for electricity generation and distribution for street lighting and private consumers. However, the purchase of the Wheeling Electrical Company's plant was not made, limiting the operation of the city's electric plant. The city's electric light plant commenced operations on April 17, 1892, marking the arrival of municipal electric street lights in Wheeling.
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Frequently asked questions
The first use of electricity in Wheeling, West Virginia, was in 1882, when the Wheeling Electric Light Company supplied light to a few private customers.
The first subscriber was J. W. Grubb, a jeweler, who added a light to his shop on Twelfth and Market Streets. Other early subscribers included Louis Schwab, John Sheekey, and William McLaughlin.
Wheeling mayor and prominent industrialist A. J. Sweeney was fascinated by electric lighting when he first saw it in Paris, France, in 1878. He formed the Wheeling Electrical Company with his two sons, J. M. Sweeney and A. Sweeney, and they began supplying electricity to businesses and private homes in 1887.
