The above town's electric utility not only prioritized dependable lighting service for their customers; they paid much attention to keeping all of their poles and lines in good working order along with aesthetics in mind. In some communities this did not matter. But in Hingham it did. Shown is a then-recently installed utility's pole along a well travelled street which still has many period dwellings and structures, some dating as far back as 1640.

The utility's general manager took great pride in overseeing an orderly and fundamentally pleasing lighting plant throughout the town. These were attributes that the townspeople cared about.

In his 1906 report, general manager, Mr. Corthell commented: "A great deal of time has also been spent in repairing and painting the 437 street (light) fixtures and thoroughly insulating the lines throughout the town, thereby adding greatly to the appearance to the plant."

On a lesser note he added: "During the year 318 street lamps have been replaced, of which 96 were broken. The malicious breaking of street lamps is thus seen to be on the increase to an alarming extent, and is becoming an item of considerable expense to the Town."

Of significance, this small electric utility was progressing along rather well despite some adversity through the years, but nonetheless unforseen things were expected since its inception 18 years earlier. During 1906, 36 new customers were added, bringing the year-end total to 364. "This is the largest increase we have ever had in any one year, a vast difference in the number whose names were on the books when I first took the position as Manager, the number then being about sixty" stated Mr. Corthell. He added "there are now 9,078 lamps (lightbulbs) installed in various buildings in town, varying in capacity from four candlepower (about 40 lumens) to 32 candlepower (320 lumens or approximately the light output of today's 40-watt incandescent light bulb).

This is an ongoing historical series about the electric light plant the town of Hingham, Massachusetts, formed in 1894. I grew up in this area and always have been fascinated in the history and start-up years of this and other electric utilities in neighboring towns, especially in Hingham. Year-by-year photographs started with their beginning [id=597271496] will continue to be periodically posted here, accompanied by brief news about some of the organization's interesting activities as well as fun related old-time fokelore. Enjoy :-)