Electricity Comes to Wabash, Indiana

Background: Shortly after Edison developed the incandescent electric light, small towns across the country hired companies to demonstrate electricity to their citizens. In Wabash, Indiana, a local reporter described the scene as four 3,000-candle arc lights were turned on, making Wabash one of the first U.S. cities wholly lit by electric light.

Ringing of the Court House bell announced the exhibition. The city presented a gloomy uninviting appearance. Suddenly from the towering dome of the Court House burst forth a flood of light which, under ordinary circumstances would have caused a shout of rejoicing from the thousands who had been crowding and jostling each other in the deep darkness of the evening. No shout, however, or token of joy disturbed the deep silence which suddenly enveloped the onlookers.

            People stood overwhelmed with awe, as if in the presence of the supernatural. The strange weird light exceeded in power only by the sun, rendered the square as light as midday. . . . Men fell on their knees, groans were uttered at the sight, and may were dumb with amazement.

Source: Wabash Plain Dealer, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28; April 9, 1880, cited in Electrifying America: Social Meanings of a New Technology, 1880–1940, p. 3.