1: The First Electrically Lighted City: Wabash’s Illuminating Moment in History

Step into the glow of a historic evening with this episode of "Hometown History," as we recount the momentous night when Wabash, Indiana became the first electrically lighted city in the world. Imagine a time when nightfall brought an impenetrable darkness that not even the full moon could wholly dispel, a time when the concept of a city aglow after dusk was merely a dream. 

Then, on March 31, 1880, that dream blazed into reality. With a modest population of 320, Wabash would become a beacon of progress thanks to the brilliant innovation of Charles F. Brush. A crowd of over 10,000 witnesses, some local, many from afar, gathered as the courthouse dome erupted with a light so brilliant it transformed night into day. 

The Brush Lights, four pioneering arc lamps, cast their beams so far and wide that even the distant Wabash River glistened like a stream of liquid light. Through this event, Wabash did not merely step into the circle of light; it leaped into the annals of history, claiming a first no other city could. 

This episode illuminates the events leading up to this historic test and the electrifying aftermath that changed the world forever. Delve into the details at wabashmuseum.org and join the conversation at itshometownhistory.com, where we shine a light on the stories that make up our shared past. Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes that explore the luminous moments of history.