The Catasauqua Electric Light and Power Company

Source: Lambert and Reinhard, A History of Catasauqu 1914

 

LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTCN POWER HOUSE OF CATASAUQUA

 

The Catasauqua Electric Light and Power Company was organized in 1890, and on April 7th of the same year, Town Council granted the new company the right to occupy the streets of the Borough with poles and wires as was necessary for the conduct of its business.

 

The generating system was of the old Edison, three wire direct current style, which is now practically obsolete in the Lehigh Valley. In 1900, the Catasauqua Electric Light and Power Company, the Northampton Electric Company and the Lehigh County Electric Company were consolidated with the gas companies mentioned above, into the Lehigh-Northampton Gas and Electric Company.

 

In November, 1907, a Bondholders' Committee reorganized the Lehigh Northampton Gas and Electric Company into the Lehigh-Northampton Light, Heat and Power Company, which, through a Bondholders' Committee disposed of the electric portion to the Lehigh Valley Light and Power Company.

 

From the beginning, progress was not very rapid until about 1900, when alternating current was distributed to what is now termed the Borough of Northampton on the east, and the Borough of Coplay on the west side of the river.

 

During 1890, the gas street-lighting was discontinued and the ordinary thirty-two candle power lamps substituted, which was the system of street lighting in the Borough of Catasauqua until 1900, at which time a contract was made with the Borough to furnish are lamps to aid deficient service.

 

At present, a new style system, termed series street-lighting, is used in connection with the are lamps. This is a great improvement over the old style system used in 1890.

 

During the past few years, electricity for motive power has been introduced and is rapidly supplanting the smaller isolated installation; and, with the cost of manufacturing current being reduced yearly, it will become a matter of economy for some larger manufacturers to substitute electric current for motive power.

 

The territory being served with electricity consists of the Boroughs of Catasauqua, North Catasauqua, Coplay, Northampton, and Fullerton and Egypt. The number of consumers is one thousand, and the value of the plant is estimated at two hundred thousand dollars.

 

 

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