Lighting

This information was first published in 1888:

THE LIGHTS OF CHARLOTTE. 

CHARLOTTE is well supplied in the matter of light, a gas company and an electric light company both being established here.  The gas company is an old institution, but the works were added to and improved a few years since, this step being necessary to supply the increasing demands of consumers. A large holder with double the capacity of the old one was built, and the works were reconstruc­ted on the new and im­proved order, so as to make water gas, instead of the old and more expensive style of rosin gas. Mr. S. E. Linton is superintendent of the works The Electric Light­ing Company was established in Charlotte in 1886. The company bought a site in the central part of the city and erected a brick building for the engines and dynamos. The Thompson-Houston system was adopted. The company supplies both the arc and incandescent light, the streets, hotels, and some of the business houses being lighted by the former. The machinery is driven by a Ball engine. Mr. Robinson is the superintendent.