Today in Wheeling History: March 30--The first meeting of the stockholders of the Wheeling Natural Gas Company was held (1886).
The idea for the Wheeling Natural Gas Company originated with Thomas A. Gillespie, J.M. Guffey and William Flinn in early March 1886. On March 30, 1886, the first meeting of the company's stockholders was held in Pittsburgh and over $750,000 in capital stock was subscribed. The company was formally chartered on April 20, 1886.
Construction on the pipelines began in early May 1886. The first well was drilled starting May 3 and completed on June 28, showing a pressure of 580 pounds. Over the summer, the company laid over 210,000 feet of 10-inch and 12-inch pipe, employing an average of 700 men. On August 27, the final section was completed and gas began flowing through the entire line from Pennsylvania to Wheeling.
Natural gas was then formally introduced to Wheeling, West Virginia on August 30, 1886 with a large public celebration attended by an estimated 15,000 people. Two competing companies, the Manufacturers Gas Company and the Wheeling Natural Gas Company, built extensive pipeline networks to bring gas from the rich Hickory gas field in Pennsylvania to Wheeling's factories and homes. The companies employed state-of-the-art safety measures to minimize the risk of leaks and explosions.
The introduction of cheap, abundant natural gas was expected to bring a new era of industrial growth and prosperity to Wheeling by enabling its glass, iron, pottery and other manufacturers to better compete against other cities. The gas company executives and political leaders hailed the momentous occasion with celebratory speeches. Notably, domestic gas rates in Wheeling were found to be 1/3 those charged in Jamestown, NY, giving Wheeling a significant economic advantage.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3xhk4ukz) (https://tinyurl.com/25mm66tt)
(https://tinyurl.com/4drzmk3y) (https://tinyurl.com/393wr823)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Wikipedia, Harper's Weekly
The idea for the Wheeling Natural Gas Company originated with Thomas A. Gillespie, J.M. Guffey and William Flinn in early March 1886. On March 30, 1886, the first meeting of the company's stockholders was held in Pittsburgh and over $750,000 in capital stock was subscribed. The company was formally chartered on April 20, 1886.
Construction on the pipelines began in early May 1886. The first well was drilled starting May 3 and completed on June 28, showing a pressure of 580 pounds. Over the summer, the company laid over 210,000 feet of 10-inch and 12-inch pipe, employing an average of 700 men. On August 27, the final section was completed and gas began flowing through the entire line from Pennsylvania to Wheeling.
Natural gas was then formally introduced to Wheeling, West Virginia on August 30, 1886 with a large public celebration attended by an estimated 15,000 people. Two competing companies, the Manufacturers Gas Company and the Wheeling Natural Gas Company, built extensive pipeline networks to bring gas from the rich Hickory gas field in Pennsylvania to Wheeling's factories and homes. The companies employed state-of-the-art safety measures to minimize the risk of leaks and explosions.
The introduction of cheap, abundant natural gas was expected to bring a new era of industrial growth and prosperity to Wheeling by enabling its glass, iron, pottery and other manufacturers to better compete against other cities. The gas company executives and political leaders hailed the momentous occasion with celebratory speeches. Notably, domestic gas rates in Wheeling were found to be 1/3 those charged in Jamestown, NY, giving Wheeling a significant economic advantage.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3xhk4ukz) (https://tinyurl.com/25mm66tt)
(https://tinyurl.com/4drzmk3y) (https://tinyurl.com/393wr823)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Wikipedia, Harper's Weekly
RSS Feed
