Waukesha Gas and Electric

The Waukesha Gas and Electric company was originally organized in 1886 as a gas company. Soon, however, electricity won out and the company pivoted to serve the new demand. The company changed hands several times, ultimately being absorbed into what would become We Energies. Overall, the Waukesha Gas and Electric Company represents a turning point in both Wisconsin and American history.

Plans for opening a gas plant in Waukesha existed as early as 1881. However, due to delays, the plant didn't open until 1886. The original plant sat on land purchased from Carl and Emily Bergeler, and was established as the Waukesha American Gas company. Soon afterwards, however, it became obvious that electricity would be a threat to the gas industry. The Waukesha American Gas Company added language in their articles of incorporation to allow for the company to also deal in electricity.

In 1882, the first electric plant in the United States opened in Appleton, Wisconsin, beating out a plant built in New York. This establishment of electricity paved the way for the Waukesha American Gas Company to build their own electric plant, which they did in 1890. In 1892 the electric company, called the Waukesha Electric Light Company, moved to be closer to the gas plant. This move laid the foundation for their combination, which happened when the American Gas Company of Philadelphia bought out the plants. Reorganized in 1903 as the Waukesha Gas and Electric company, the utility company began serving a wider audience. At their head was Judge F. H. Putney, who served as president of the company, and T. W. Haight as secretary. Both respected members of society, Putney and Haight ran the company until 1917 when it passed to George Boteler.

1908 was an important milestone for Waukesha Gas and Electric, as the plant provided electricity for 24 hours for the first time ever. Previously, electricity would only be provided during specific times of day, such as when movies were showing at the movie theater. Electricity became a staple of society. In order to better serve Waukesha, the company began work on a new power plant in 1909.

In 1922, due to railroad labor strikes, coal became almost impossible to find. On July 1st, 400,000 railroad shopmen went on strike, protesting cuts in their wages. This shut down several railroads and prevented the Waukesha Gas and Electric Company from acquiring any coal. A 1922 Freeman article outlines the desperation of Boteler in finding coal, and informs the public that the company only has enough fuel to provide electricity for 20 days. Despite the panic, however, the strike soon ended, and the company carried on.

In 1923 the company again changed hands, with holdings being sold to the Wisconsin Gas and Electric Company. In 1928 the company stopped producing gas, as it began to be piped in from Racine. Although now absorbed into We Energies, the Waukesha Gas and Electric Company provides a snapshot into American history, giving us a view of the intersection of technology and labor history.

"Excavating for Plant." The Waukesha Freeman (Waukesha) April 29th, 1909. 4.

Gadsby, Margaret. Strike of the Railroad Shopmen. Monthly Labor Review, vol. 15, no. 61 - 21. Published 1922. JSTOR.

"Gas Company Has 20-Day Coal Supply." The Waukesha Freeman (Waukesha) August 11th, 1922. .1.

Holmes, Fred L. "Badger City Home of First Electric Plant in America." Milwaukee Sentinel (Milwaukee) November 20th, 1921.

Phillips, Charlie. Fire in the Front Burner. Landmark. 1973. 2 - 4.

WEC History, WEC Energy Group. Accessed August 17th, 2022. https://www.wecenergygroup.com/about/history.htm.