Published by permission from the historical society.

Transcribed by Mrs. McElroys' MMS class.

The exact date of the coming of electricity to Mulvane seems to be shrouded in the mists of forgetfulness. Issues oh the town’s weekly newspaper, The Mulvane Record, which was for several years edited and published by G. L. Reed, and later by members of his family who survived him, carried accounts of a growing interest and investigation into an electric system for the town as early as the late 1890’s.

There are few now remaining who can remember the installation of the first electric generator and distributing system; and those who do remember say they cannot be sure of its inception. Ernest Fisher, who was working at the Mulvane Mill and Elevator at the time the system was put into operation, says he believes it to have been "about the turn of the century- 1900, or perhaps a year or two before or after that date."

George Bloomenshine, who "matriculated" in Mulvane High School in the fall of 1901, says he is pretty sure the school building was at that time lighted by electricity; or if by that year it most certainly was by the next autumn.

Mr. Fisher tells of the electric installation as follows: "The mill built a new room onto their building in which to locate the generator. They powered it by running a shaft through the wall from the main shaft of the steam engine, which powered the mill and elevator, by putting a flywheel on the end of the shaft and belting it to the generator. Some times the outfit would "throw a belt" and there would be a scurry to re-belt and restore service. Later the shaft connection to the steam engine, which likewise was belted to the generator." (In later years, a Mulvane News editor was gathering information for writing an article concerning the beginnings of Mulvane’s electric service, and instead of writing of the gasoline engine as "one cylinder", he mentioned it as "one horsepower".) George Howlagner, mill and elevator engineer, was responsible for the electric system operation as long as it was located there.

Candle lighting was replaced by the kerosene (coal oil) lamp as the principal source of lighting for homes, places of business and of assembly. There were those who used the newly invented Coleman (or similar) pressure gasoline lantern or lamp. In fact, many continued to use these for some time after the advent of electricity for fear or reluctance to change, as the change included a cost of house wiring. One church used a gasoline pressure system that supplied gas to four lamps through a hollow wire system. Occasional "pumping up the pressure" was necessary with this because as the gasoline supply was diminished, pressure lowered.

The hesitant and limited use of electricity when it first came to Mulvane was insufficient to make the system a profitable financial venture for Mulvane Mill and Elevator. The system was sold to the Mulvane Ice and Cold Storage Co. where it was operated by Oscar Clemens, with Ed Albright as engineer.

The most use of electricity at first consisted of lighting only – with a single drop cord hanging from the center of a room (or more for larger rooms) – with a 25- or 40-watt bulb in which were a couple of turns of carbon filament. Tungsten, Mazda and other more efficient bulbs came later. Appliances had not come about yet.

As with the mill and elevator, the electric plant failed to yield a sufficient financial return and it was purchased by the City of Mulvane to be developed into The Mulvane Light and Power Department. A new building was erected at the site of the present power plant to house the generator, and city water pump station, at 120 Boxelder. The first new equipment installed was a three cylinder Fairbanks-Morse upright gas engine and generator.

With growth of the city, use of electricity increased and other generating equipment was added as needed, together with added space for its housing.

Likewise, with electric refrigeration, appliances of every kind in homes, businesses, etc., and use of electricity for power in businesses and industry, the system grew into a major industry on its own.

When the electric system was first acquired by the City of Mulvane it was operated by Theo. Eck as superintendent. In 1939 A. D. (Pat) Loper was made superintendent and he served for fifteen years, until Raymond Davis succeeded him. Davis was superintendent until his retirement Nov. 11, 1969. Ernest Blankenship, who began work in the plant in the plant in 1944, became superintendent on Davis’ retirement and had the longest tenure of service of any employee. He retired Jan. 1, 1976, after twelve years as superintendent, with a total of 33 years in the plant’s service. Gary Rambo is now superintendent.

In 1974 most of the electricity was furnished by the intercept lines from K.G.&E.

Contributed by Geo. Smysor