Find Out How Wabash, Indiana Became The First Electrically Lighted City In The World
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published March 20, 2020
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Learn how Wabash, Indiana was the first city in the world to get electric lights in its streets. You’d never believe that this small town was so advanced so long ago.
The Hoosier State is full of surprises and history lessons that will make you proud. Scroll on to learn all about this one.
Wabash, Indiana is known as the "First Electrically Lighted City" in the world, and it's one of the greatest things that ever happened to this small river town.
Edison invented the light bulb in 1879, and it changed the world. People were able to light up their homes, and someone thought this might work in the streets.
In 1880, a man from Ohio by the name of Charles F. Brush came up with the idea for his street lights, but he just needed a town in which to try them out.
Wabash was willing to give it a go, and the rest is history. Four 3,000 candlepower lamps were placed atop the Wabash County Courthouse, and in this town of fewer than 500 people, about 10,000 came to see the specter.
The original 1880 Brush lights are still on display at the courthouse for guests and visitors to see. Typically just locals know the history behind this unique nickname, but now you will too.