Exactly
100 years ago, electricity was a novelty in Elk River. In the year 1916, a new company, Elk River
Electric built a power plant and installed lighting throughout the village.
Until the work of F. D. Waterman in 1915, the only buildings to have electricity
were the Blanchett Hotel and the Opera House.
These were powered by gas fueled generators. Elk River developed very quickly into “a most
modern” community.
Beginning
in 1912, Fred Waterman opened negotiations with the village to build a dam and
power plant for the city. The city
itself agreed to maintain power lines and serve as the go between for customers
and Waterman’s Elk River Electric Company. After three years of struggle to find
financial backing, the plant was built and power sent through the city in
January of 1916. Immediately, the streets
of Elk River lit up. The Sherburne County Star News explained, “for
lighting the streets 40 sixty candle power and 10 one hundred candle power
lamps are being used.”
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| Advertising electrical appliances for Christmas in the Sherburne County Star News |
With
construction complete, the company advertising campaign moved forward. Newspaper advertising announced, “We have
spared no pains or money to have Elk River retain its present envious
reputation of being the best town of it size in the state by giving it the best
lighting system.”
With
Christmas 1916 approaching, the company took a new direction in
advertising. “Electrical gifts have
charm, beauty, and utility,” the company urged customers to buy the latest in new
electrical appliances.
Although
it would take another 40 years before electricity would reach every corner of
the county, Elk River took a big step forward in lighting the city in 1916.
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