Corporate Information

  We at Wabash Electric Supply feel proud indeed to have originated in a city which has played such an important part in the history of electricity.

During the winter of 1879-80 the Wabash city fathers entered into a contract with Charles F. Brush of Cleveland, Ohio to install arch-lights atop the Wabash County Courthouse. Four of Mr. Brush's lights were suspended from the flagstaff and a galvanized iron shield covered the area below. The Brush Dynamo Machine was set up in the basement and was driven by an eight horsepower steam threshing machine pulled up alongside the building.

At sunset on March 31, 1891 the courthouse bell rang and several minutes later the entire area was bathed in light. People from all around the nation gathered to witness what was described in the Fort Wayne Gazette as "… the strangest light ever exhibited in the United States.

Coverage by the Chicago Tribune read: "The lighting of an entire city by means of electricity seems to have been accomplished. Over ten thousand witnessed the test… The crowd spread over the suburbs making test by looking at watches and reading newspapers. In short, the Brush system electric lighting for cities is a success and Wabash enjoys the distinction of being the first city in the world to be lighted by electricity."