Wiktor Wise
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, is known as the Electric City due to its long association with electricity and electrical innovation. Peterborough was the first town in Canada to use electric streetlights, on May 24, 1884, and was one of the first cities in Canada to generate hydroelectric power, attracting companies like General Electric and Quaker Oats. Today, Peterborough continues to embrace its electric heritage, with initiatives to electrify city vehicles and a semi-professional football club called Electric City FC.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for the nickname "Electric City" | Peterborough was the first town in Canada to use electric streetlights on May 24, 1884. |
| It was also one of the first cities in Canada to generate hydro-electrical power. | |
| The nickname underscores the historical and present-day importance of technology and manufacturing as an economic base for the city. | |
| Companies that set up shop in Peterborough due to the availability of cheap electricity | General Electric Company (later Canadian General Electric), America Cereal Company (later Quaker Oats, and in 2001 PepsiCo Inc.) |
| Other companies that have operated in Peterborough | Siemens, Rolls-Royce Limited, Merit Precision Ltd., Dynacast, Bryston |
| Current reputation | Peterborough is currently known for being a great place to raise a family, with a low crime rate and excellent schools. |
| It is also known for its thriving arts and culture scene and its outdoor recreational opportunities. |
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What You'll Learn
- Peterborough was the first town in Canada to use electric streetlights
- The city was one of the first to generate hydroelectric power
- The Electric City FC was a semi-professional football club in Peterborough
- The city's technological and manufacturing economic base
- Peterborough's extensive industrial growth
Peterborough was the first town in Canada to use electric streetlights
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, was the first town in the country to use electric streetlights, on May 24, 1884. The city's historical association with electricity and manufacturing gave it the nickname "The Electric City".
The city's early adoption of electric streetlights underscores its historical and present-day importance of technology and manufacturing as an economic base. Peterborough was also one of the first cities in Canada to generate clean hydro-electrical power, attracting companies like GE and Quaker Oats, which took advantage of this economical energy source. This history of electrification has led to a continued reliance on electricity in the region, with Peterborough's electricity local distribution company being Hydro One as of April 2020.
The Electric City moniker also stems from the long association of the Canadian General Electric Corporation with the city. General Electric operated in Peterborough from 1892 to 2018, employing about 6,000 people at its peak. Other major employers in the city have included Siemens, Rolls-Royce Limited, and local businesses such as Merit Precision Ltd., Dynacast, and Bryston.
Peterborough's early electrification had a significant impact on its development, attracting businesses and contributing to its extensive industrial growth. The city has also been home to a thriving arts and culture scene, with popular festivals such as the Peterborough Folk Festival and Art in the Park. Today, Peterborough is known for being a great place to raise a family, with a low crime rate, excellent schools, and a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
While the city has faced challenges, such as high unemployment in the 2000s, it has also demonstrated resilience and a commitment to progress. With its unique history, vibrant culture, and focus on family and community, Peterborough continues to be a significant city in Ontario, Canada.
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The city was one of the first to generate hydroelectric power
The city of Peterborough in Ontario, Canada, was one of the first to generate hydroelectric power. The city's association with electricity dates back to the 19th century when it became the first town in Canada to use electric streetlights on May 24, 1884. This earned Peterborough the nickname "The Electric City".
The city's early adoption of hydroelectric power set it apart and attracted major companies such as General Electric (GE) and Quaker Oats, which established operations there to take advantage of this economical and clean energy source. Peterborough's history with electricity underscores its historical and present-day importance as an economic base for the city.
Peterborough's generation of hydroelectric power is linked to its local dams, with run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation providing a unique opportunity for the city to become a leader in carbon neutrality. This distinction as one of the first places to generate hydroelectric power has had a lasting impact on the city's development and reputation.
The availability of cheap and clean energy from hydroelectric power played a significant role in the extensive industrial growth of Peterborough. The establishment of companies like GE and Quaker Oats, which later became PepsiCo Inc., further solidified the city's association with electricity and its reputation as a hub for technological advancement and manufacturing.
Today, Peterborough continues to be a centre for economic activity and innovation. While the city has faced challenges, including high unemployment rates in the early 2000s, it has also been home to major employers and large multinational companies such as Siemens, Rolls-Royce Limited, and local businesses like Merit Precision Ltd. and Dynacast.
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The Electric City FC was a semi-professional football club in Peterborough
Peterborough earned the nickname "The Electric City" as it was the first town in Canada to use electric streetlights on 24 May 1884. It was also one of the first cities in Canada to generate hydroelectric power, attracting companies like General Electric and Quaker Oats to set up operations there.
Despite solid performances on the pitch and a strong start, Electric City FC faced financial difficulties in its inaugural season. The club endured several coaching changes and departures, including the resignation of club president Rob Jenkins. In their first seasons, the men's team finished in tenth place, while the women's team finished in eighth place, with both teams failing to qualify for the playoffs.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Randy Ribeiro was confirmed as the permanent coach of both the men's and women's teams. Unfortunately, Electric City FC ceased operations after two years in Peterborough, selling its licences to Pickering Football Club. Despite the collapse of the club, there is a strong belief that football at this level will return to Peterborough, with local supporters remaining passionate about the sport.
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The city's technological and manufacturing economic base
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, has a rich history of technological and manufacturing prowess, which forms the economic base of the city. The city was the first in Canada to use electric streetlights on 24 May 1884. It was also one of the first places in the country to generate hydroelectric power, even before the plants at Niagara Falls. This attracted large companies such as General Electric (GE), which operated in Peterborough from 1892 to 2018, and Quaker Oats (later PepsiCo), which took advantage of the cheap and clean energy source.
The city has also been home to other large multinational manufacturing companies, including Siemens, Rolls-Royce Limited, and local businesses such as Merit Precision Ltd., Dynacast, and Bryston. Peterborough's technological and manufacturing base has thus been a key driver of its economic development and growth over the years, attracting investment and creating jobs for its residents.
In addition to its strong manufacturing sector, Peterborough has a thriving arts and culture scene, with several festivals and events held throughout the year, including the Peterborough Folk Festival, Art in the Park, and the Kawartha Lakes Winter Carnival. The city also boasts a good job market, with a mix of large employers, small businesses, and startups.
However, Peterborough has faced economic challenges in recent years. In the 2000s, for instance, the city experienced high unemployment, with rates that were among the highest in Canada for census metropolitan areas. More recently, in 2025, Siemens announced it would be winding down its Peterborough facility, impacting 160 jobs. Around the same time, the airline company Lufthansa also announced the closure of its Peterborough customer service centre, resulting in 400 layoffs.
Despite these setbacks, an analysis in 2017 predicted a "moderate but improving growth environment" for the region and Peterborough in the coming years. The city's diverse economic base, including its technological and manufacturing strengths, arts and culture scene, and favourable cost of living, continue to make it an attractive location for businesses and residents alike.
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Peterborough's extensive industrial growth
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, was one of the first places in the country to generate hydroelectric power, even before the plants at Niagara Falls. This led to extensive industrial growth, with companies like General Electric and Quaker Oats setting up operations in the city to take advantage of this cheap energy resource.
General Electric, which later became Canadian General Electric, employed about 6,000 people at its peak. The company operated in Peterborough from 1892 until 2018. The availability of hydroelectric power also attracted other businesses, such as Siemens, Rolls-Royce Limited, and local companies like Merit Precision Ltd., Dynacast, and Bryston.
The city's industrial growth was further facilitated by its favourable location and access to transportation networks. Peterborough is situated on the Otonabee River, providing water transport options, and it is also connected to other regions through well-developed road networks.
Peterborough's industrial development had a significant impact on the city's economy and employment rates. The establishment of large multinational companies and local businesses contributed to a diverse job market, offering various employment opportunities for residents. The city's unemployment rate improved over time, eventually reaching the national average of under 5% in December 2017.
In addition to the private sector, Peterborough also has several large public-sector employers, including Trent University, Peterborough Utilities Group, and OPG. The city's economy also benefits from a mix of small businesses and startups, contributing to its overall industrial growth and development.
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Frequently asked questions
Peterborough was the first town in Canada to use electric streetlights, on May 24, 1884.
Peterborough was also one of the first cities in Canada to generate clean hydro-electrical power. This attracted companies like GE and Quaker Oats to take advantage of the economical energy source.
The nickname underscores the historical and present-day importance of technology and manufacturing as an economic base for the city.
Peterborough is currently known for being a great place to raise a family, with a low crime rate and excellent schools. It also has a thriving arts and culture scene and offers plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities.
The name "Peterborough" was given to the area by John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. The city was officially incorporated in 1847.
