Water, Electricity, and Gas in Mankato

Water Mains 

The first water mains appeared in 1883, when a 10 inch wooden main ran from Hubbard Mill on Front and Washington streets, down Washington Street to Broad Street, then to Rock Street then to the reservoir on Rock and Broad Streets. In 1889, Mankato built reservoirs and put in water mains that brought water to Front Street, Second Street and Broad Street. Forty years later, most of the downtown area had both water and sewer mains. The hilltop area was one of the last places to have sewer and water mains, most of them were completed in the 1920's, but some were finished as late as 1948 and 1950.

Gas for lighting and Household Use

When actual distribution of gas began in 1883, the primary uses were for street lights and household lighting. Lamplighters lit the street lights every evening and extinguished them in the morning. Use of gas grew throughout the city, and by 1952, most factories, schools, stores, and homes were using gas for practically all fuel uses.

A brief timeline of gas use in Mankato:

• October 25, 1882 a ten year franchise for the distribution of gas is granted to C.W. Kanke and O.C. McCurdy.
• 1887, gas plant is purchased by John B. Meagher and H.A. Patterson
• 1890, Mankato Gas and Light Company, rather than the Mankato Gas Light Company is granted the right to service Mankato.
• 1900-1905, plant was expanded
• 1910, gas company became part of the Consumers Power Co., there is an extension of mains and a 150,000 cubic foot gas storage holder built.
• 1915, gas service to West Mankato
• 1916, name changes to Northern States Power Co.
• 1937 plant and distribution system was purchased by the Minnesota Valley Natural Gas company, everyone was converted to natural gas. Natural gas allowed for more efficient use of fuel and factories were also able to use gas. Town Border Station No. 1 was built. There were also many pressure regulating stations and manufacturing plants built.
• 1941, hilltop area receives service
• 1947, a standby propane plant near the north city limits was built
• 1948, Town Border Station No. 2 was built

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Electricity

Electricity was first generated in 1885, It was produced in the old tub factory on Van Brunt street. It was all direct current and used to light street lights.

A brief timeline of electricity in Mankato:

• February 1887 F. L. Waters purchased a 150 horse power engine and other necessary equipment for an electric light plant. This was the first in the county.
• 1887-equipment moved to Hubbard Milling Company's mill, service expanded to include a small amount of commercial lighting (a little alternating current generating unit was set up in the mill for the commercial lighting)
• 1889-a few stores and residences in the immediate vicinity of the mill were wired for electric service and received current for a few hours each night, Also, gas and electric companies combined to form the Mankato Gas and Electric Light Company.
• 1901-twenty-four hour electric service was available
• 1907- The decision was made to install a street car system, which required new electrical equipment. Street cars operated from May 1908 to March 8, 1930
• 1910-service available through most of Mankato, however, electricity was still used mainly for lighting and not for appliances.
• 1911-Hydroelectric power from the Rapidan dam was first produced, this was also the first electricity brought into Mankato from the outside. This began the transmission of power from the Twin Cities to Mankato and to surrounding areas.
• 1937-Northern States Power company sold its gas holdings.

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Sources

Hughes, Thomas. History of Blue Earth County. Middle West Publishing Company. Chicago.1976

The Heritage of Blue Earth County Minnesota. Curtis Media Corporation. Dallas Texas. 1990.