Let There Be Light: The 150th Anniversary of Jackson's Gas Utility
Featured in vol 7, issue 2: legacy
As Madison County and Jackson celebrate their Bicentennials, the Jackson Energy Authority celebrates Jackson’s Utility Sesquicentennial — the 150th Anniversary of Gas Utility Service.
Today, those gathered for AMP concerts downtown share the very same site that started utilities in Jackson, and most have no idea.
In 1871, coke, a form of coal brought by railroad into Jackson, was burned in ovens at a plant at Union and West Alley. The gas generated from the burning coal was stored in above-ground tanks. In the evening, with the gas spread underground through wooden pipes, lamplighters would light the street lamps and illuminate this key portion of downtown Jackson.
That gas system, beginning June 28, 1871, marked Jackson’s move into a new phase of community. A City water system followed in the 1880s. Then the private Citizens Gas Light Company enhanced street lighting with a generator and a system of electric lights (1887). In the next decade Jackson added a health motivated sewer system. With that combination of private and public companies, Jackson entered the 20th Century with full utility services.
Those services changed life in previously unanticipated ways. Gas for street lights expanded to home lights, replacing candles and coal oil lamps. Customers also expanded life convenience using gas for heating and cooking, replacing wood stoves. Electricity saw similar appliance adaptations and a major Jackson service, trolleys and streetcars. The water system expanded fire protection and the development of Jackson’s Fire Department.
The 20th century brought totally unexpected changes in lifestyles, commercial and industrial development. Jackson’s utilities constantly changed with the times, enabling Jackson to successfully grow and meet the century’s challenges.
Jackson eventually combined its utilities into one company, Jackson Utility Division. Then at century’s end, recognizing the need for advanced communication capability, JUD became JEA, building Tennessee’s first fiber-to-the-home Internet system.
Today JEA recognizes that Jackson’s utility origin, expansion and customer service culture came through its gas system.
Natural gas is an efficient, environmentally clean energy source for home comfort and industrial capacity. From the warmth and serenity of a gas log fireplace to blast furnaces for steel production, Jackson’s Gas System continues to serve and propel our city.
Natural gas is also an increasingly prime and plentiful source for electric generation across America. Natural gas continues to enhance and change our lives.
Happy 150th Anniversary to the service that brought light to Jackson!
An excellent summary of Jackson’s Utility History is the book, “Here For You: A History of Jackson Utility Division” by Mary S. Reed
