Step Back In Time
By Jerry Kortes
Gadsden County is filled with a rich History. After going through some of the archives dating back to the 1700's, I have found some very interesting facts I would like to share with you. I started last week with an article on the start of the Quincy Fire Dept. I will be doing a series of articles on excerpts from minutes of Council meetings started with this week.
It is interesting to note how electricity was established in Gadsden Country. The following are some excerpts from a council meeting dated Sept. 6,1898:
To the chairman, and members of the Town Council. Quincy, Fl. Gentlemen,
I desire to submit for the consideration of your honorable body, the following proposition to furnish electric lights to the town of Quincy.
I will furnish for five years to the town of Quincy Electric Arc Lights at a capacity of two thousand (2000) candle power each, twenty (20) lights to be erected at such points as the town council shall designate, and for the sun of One Thousand ($1000) Dollars per Annum.
I will submit that in order to make a contract of this length it will be necessary to submit to the freeholders the question as to whether they wish to enter into a contract of this sort and in the event an election is held and the result is favorable to making the contract, I will begi at once to the erection and completion of the electric lights, the town will furnish both arc and incandescent lights to the citizens at a resemble rate.
Trusting I may have the consideration of your honorable body on this question and that you may see fit and proper to award the contract, I am respectfully, (signed) Wm Hardon on an ordinance that was voted on and passed and signed by Mayor Jas L Davidson on Sept. 7,1898,Quincy became a city of lights.
pg 14; Gadsden News and Shopper, June 7,1995