The Early History of the Fitchburg Electric Light Station
as seen in 1891 and 1903

April 4, 1891

On Monday I paid a visit to the electric light station and was shown over the plant by Superintendent Kimball. It is well worth a visit and will perhaps interest some of the
readers of Town Talk. On the ground floor are the boilers and the engines. In the boiler room are three 100 horse power boilers, two of which are used at one time. The
boilers were made by D. M. Dillon. The engine room is a model of neatness and presents quite an imposing appearance. There are two engines, the new Putnam of 300
horse power but only half in use at present, it being a double engine, and the Fitchburg Steam Engine company's engine formally used at the old plant. The engines are so
arranged that one or both can be run at the same time. In this room also is a Locke automatic damper regulator and a patent arrangement of shafting and pulleys made by the
Hill clutch company of Cleveland, O., which enables the engineer to stop or start any or all the dynamos at will from the dynamo room above. The clutch consists of three
iron bands or clutches which revolve with the shaft and are operated by means of a shaft and wrench or lever, and when put in operation clutch the pulley firmly and carry
it around. The arrangement for oiling the machinery is also ingenious. In the dynamo room above is a tank filled with oil, this by means of pipes is carried to the room below
and over all parts of the machinery needing oiling. The oil is also carried away by means of pipes to a filter in the basement, there cleared of its impurities and is there pumped
into the tank in the dynamo room and used again. Running all through the station is about a mile of Clark's insulated wire, the best manufactured, but water is always kept
ready in case of fire. In the dynamo room are six dynamos; three L. D. Thompson-Houston, 30 are light machines, used exclusively for street lights and divided into three
circuits of two 33 and one 32 lights each: one K machine of 30 arc lights and one M machine of 15 arc lights both of which are used for the commercial circuit, and a 1000
incandescent light machine which will shortly be changed for a 1300 light machine of the very latest design. At present the station is equipped with 250 horse power and is
running 98 street lights, 65 commercial lights and 800 incandescent lights. The full capacity of the station however is 600 horse power, 250 arc and 3500 incandescent lights.
The dynamo room is constructed to hold nine dynamos. The switch board is made of slate with a cherry frame and is divided into two parts: one for the arc lights which contain
12 circuits and is so arranged that any combination of lights or machines can be made without lights being discontinued. The other board is for incandescent work and is made
for four circuits, but one is all that is used at present. This board is the work of Mr. Kimball and is one of the finest of any kind. The building is of brick and is of a very substantial
nature. All the modern appliances and improvements are used and the station is certainly a model of the most approved lighting station. One of the best features connected with
the whole plant is that the company uses only the best material obtainable thereby reducing the danger of accidents to a minimum and giving the people the best service obtainable.
Only competent and reliable servants are employed and the officials plant and results obtained here will compare very favorably with those of any company in the city.
End of article

A little bit comes from the February edition of the same year - as follows
February 21, 1891

The Electric Light Co, is creating quite a boom in store lighting. R. B. Andrews, A. B. Merril and Conant & Morse being among the latest
to adopt this system of lighting. The company has also introduced incandescent lights into a number of dwelling houses in the past few weeks.
End of article

Let us now walk through in 1903 and view what the " Sidewalk Sifter " viewed back in 1891:

Firstly, we would be greeted by Mr. H. F. Coggshall the General Manager, who tells us of his involvement with the electric light station over
half a century ago when the corporation first started, Mr. Cogshall was given the job as first manager back in those days and from those early
years has been General Manager, clerk and treasurer for the Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Co, plus being one of its first incorporators.



H. F. COGGSHALL.

Walking down a side corridor Mr. Coggshall guides us out to the front of the power station crossing a small bridge to one side so as to get a full
view of the station with the boiler house and smoke stack in the middle and the main light station at the rear. A mist still in the air due to our early
arrival but well worth it as Mr. Moulton who came along with us captured a perfect photo with a good reflection in the water of the cooling pond. On
the way back we tried to count the wires on those poles but lost count before we were under them, but as this was a tour we were on our best manners.



LIGHTING STATION OF THE FITCHBURG GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT Co., 1903.

( Photo by J. C. Moulton )

Retracing our steps back inside the electric light station Mr. Coggshall turned around and uttered " Now this is the Best Part Boys " and opened a large
door to the left of the corridor, to our amazement both the engines plus the switchboards were in full view, the engines were in full swing, two out of
three, and as we approached the engines we could hear the low tone of the switchboard as it hummed away providing power to the early morning people
just waking, plus the wheels of industry as they started up once again. We looked on in total awe, never before had we seen engines so large as these.
Once again Mr. Moulton captured an excellent view of the interior with the engines in the rear, the switchboard to the right and a small dynamo belt
driven via an electric motor both bolted to the floor just in front of the vertical Fitchburg engine, manufactured by the Fitchburg Steam Engine Company
at 38 - 42 Water Street, the engine at the rear was manufactured by the Putman Machine Company, S W. Putman & Sons of Fitchburg, MA.
( Of interest in the photo below is the fact that the same layout had been kept intact as in the 1891 article above )



INTERIOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING STATION, 1903.

( Photo by J. C. Moulton )

As we walked further in towards the engines the slate switchboard to our right revealed its beauty, at the top a complete row of Ammeters and below them
a matching row of Voltmeters, below those were meters to read the totals for each section of the switchboard plus the throw switches just below. A work of
art would be the only description, each surround on the meters were polished and all connectors were shining. It was nearly the end of our tour but before we
left a quick climb of the steel ladder in the corner took us up into the dynamo room which turned out to be just as impressive as the engine and switch room.



SWITCHBOARD AT ELECTRIC LIGHTING STATION, 1903.

( Photo by J. C. Moulton )

In closing another chapter in the Great History of Fitchburg, Massachusetts., we have to thank the main people for the above story and photos:

The " Sidewalk Sifter " who, although unknown was the marvelous editor of " Town Talk " and years ahead of his time during the late 1800's.

Below
a photo of Superintendent Kimball.



Arthur H. Kimball formed the company of A H. Kimball & Co, electrical contractors which he ran on a daily basis as well as looking after the needs of the
Electric Light Company. He was first offered the position of superintendent in 1886, which he accepted and carried on in connection with his other business.

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Mr. H F. Coggshall who in his wisdom thought the story best be told before he reaches the age of retirement.
His main office can be found at 374 Main Street, and if you are in luck., he may give you a tour of the plant.

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Mr. J C. Moulton, is the oldest established photographer in the
city, having been in business since 1848. He began with a small
studio at the Old Stand at 159 Main Street and through much hard
work he would eventually own a beautiful studio at 368 Main Street.

A link to a photo taken by J C. Moulton of his own studio on Main Street, in the Proctor Block is below.

Click here

The above link is made possible by the Fitchburg Historical Society.

J C. Moulton

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Among other artists and photographers at this time were:

Kimball Brothers - trading from 355 1-2 Main Street.
E E. Howard - trading from 172 Main Street.
Snow & McDermott who also traded from Main Street.
Manning, 224 1/2 Main Street, 1890's.
George F. Morill, 222 1/2 Main Street ( Whitney-Bassett Building )
Charles Lamb, 1850 -1868.
Donald Barton, Barton Photography of Fitchburg.
James M. Gillmore, artist & photographer
who leased rooms within the Octagon residence of
Dr. Palmer at 117 Main St, corner Main and Grove Streets.
( Dr. Palmer - Dentist )

In more recent times:
Bob Jollimore who worked for the Sentinel Newspaper 24/7, 1960-70's.

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Photographers in Leominster.

Richardson.
F W. Bailey.
Percy E. Johnson, 18 Fall Brook Ave