Sturgis- The Electric City

Sturgis has long connection with electricity

Rosalie Currier

Sturgis Journal

Oct. 1, 2007

On the new historical markers stating the early uses of various downtown Sturgis buildings, it states "The Electric City 1896."

While many of us take electricity for granted, it wasn't always so. In 1896, very few towns enjoyed the recent invention, but Sturgis residents were on the forefront of the technology.

Forward-thinking city fathers installed a coal-fired generator and the residents could take advantage of electricity for three hours in the evenings.

According to a March 31, 1992, Sturgis Journal article by Joan Bell, local residents weren't sure they trusted electricity enough to let it into their homes in the late 19th century. It seemed like a potential fire hazard to some people.

However, they apparently got used to the advantages of electricity and needed more, so 15 years later Sturgis built a hydroelectric dam on the St. Joseph River.

A 1911 celebration of the opening of the new dam draw a crowd of about 10,000.

Evangelist Billy Sunday was even in town and spoke at the ceremony.

According to Linda Winkens of the Sturgis Historical Society, the dam was so profitable for eight years beginning in 1928 that here was no need for Sturgis residents to pay taxes.

"That was during the height of The Depression," Winkens said.

From those historical roots of visionary leaders, the name Electric City still sticks today, Experience Sturgis committee members said.

Rosalie Currier is a staff writer for the Journal. Contact her at currier@sturgisjournal.com.