Marblehead harbor in the the early 1900's,
with the Light Plant in the center.
(Click Light Plant for larger image)

January 1913 The "moon schedule" for street lights is abandoned after nearly 20 years of lighting the street only when there was no moonlight. Lights now shine "all night, every night."

1917 World War I brings tough times to the community, and the Light Commission labels 1917 an "unsatisfactory year." The high prices and low quality of all supplies - especially coal - devastate the budget. The plant pipes steam for heating to the neighboring Burgess airplane factory at Redstone Cove, which builds biplanes for the war effort.

The Burgess airplane factory at Redstone Cove.
During World War I, the nearby Light Plant
pumped steam to the factory for heating.

1920 Emery Goodwin, named manager in 1918, must cope with an ever-expanding demand for electricity due to Marblehead's popularity as a summer resort. Commissioners decide it's cheaper to buy power from outside sources than to expand the plant, since additional generators would lay idle during the winter months. In 1923, equipment is installed to handle current from Lynn Gas and Electric in Swampscott. By 1928, a new 15,000-volt line connects Marblehead with Swampscott.

1936 Despite the Great Depression, peak demand for electricity hits 1,400-kilowatts. The Department continues to purchase power from outside sources, although most power used here is generated in Town. Thanks to efficiences and equipment upgrades, the residential lighting rate drops to 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, down from 13 cents in 1920.

1938 The Hurricane of 1938 tears down poles and wire all over Town, but they're "rapidly put back in working condition," according to contemporary reports. Major plant renovations include a new 750-kilowatt diesel generator and upgrades to the steam generation equipment. The "Town unemployed" performs labor such as excavation and foundation work for the project.

1939 Rates are falling, and the cost of electricity after 200 kilowatt-hours is lowered to 2 cents per kilowatt-hour to encourage the use of electric ranges and other new appliances. The idea is to build up daytime electric use to balance the heavy evening summer load caused by the large seasonal colony on Marblehead Neck.

A 1930's view of the Rechabite Building, home of
the Light Department's business office until 1969.