The Cambridge of eighteen hundred and ninety-six: a picture of the city and its industries fifty years after its incorporation
Arthur Gilman, Ed.

On December 30, 1886, the board of aldermen authorized the company to erect and maintain poles and wires on Main Street from West Boston Bridge to Brattle Square, and soon after a few arc lamps were installed. On September 1, 1887, 77 public arcs, 7 commercial arcs, and 847 incandescent lamps had been installed in the city.

At this time the city lighting was very poor, owing to the system in use and the imperfect construction of the lines and poles. In time that was obviated by the introduction of a new system, and the rebuilding almost entirely of the pole-lines, so as to avoid connection with trees and other obstructions. At the present time no better lighted streets are to be found in the State; and the city, as well as consumers generally, is seldom without a good and continuous service.

Messrs. Josiah Q. Bennett and F. H. Raymond were elected directors September 2, 1887, Mr. Bennett becoming the president and Mr. Raymond treasurer, which offices they have held until the present time.

The plant was originally placed in a wooden building belonging to George L. Damon, at 23 Main Street, the foundations of which were so unstable, and the business of the company increased so rapidly, that the stockholders determined upon a removal to some more commodious and convenient location nearer the centre of distribution for the current. The present location on Western Avenue was selected, the land purchased, and suitable buildings erected; and on the 11th of October, 1888, at twelve o'clock noon, the current was let on from the new station, just exactly two years from the date when the current was started in the old station.

On March 5, 1888. the stockholders authorized the issue of new capital up to $100.000, and on December 10, 1888, a still further issue was authorized up to $200,000, which is the present capital stock.

March 15. 1888, Mr. Mulliken resigned his position as superintendent, and Walter R. Eaton was chosen to take his place, which position he occupied until B. Otis Danforth was elected in April, 1891. Mr. Danforth now holds the office of superintendent.

In April, 1888, the Thompson-Houston Electric Company purchased a controlling interest in the stock of the company, and the old systems of electrical machinery made by the Weston and American Electric Company were changed to the Thompson-Houston system, which is now practically in use. A syndicate was formed in the latter part of 1889 to take the stock held by the Thompson-Houston Electric Company, and they parted with their interest. Many citizens of Cambridge not before stockholders became interested in the company.