This is an example of Ripon’s early wooden gas pipe system.

This is an 1871 excerpt from the Ripon Free Press.

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This is an example of Ripon’s early wooden gas pipe system.

What we refer to as “modern utilities” in our homes — electricity, running water and gas — was in experimental stages in Europe in the late 1700s, and later in America in the mid-to-late 1800s.

Although it’s hard for us to even consider living without these amenities in our daily lives today, let’s take a look at Ripon’s gas utility history as an example.

Many of Ripon’s first residents in the mid-to-late 1800s were from the East Coast, where modern utilities already were being put into place for everyday living.

Upon their arrival in Ripon, it was understood in an emerging, yet not completely settled new territory, that the conveniences of living would eventually catch up or be put into place over time.

In December 1875, a Ripon gas company was organized to provide the first modern (or public) utility. A gas plant was built near Houston Street on what was then called “Pond Street” on the bank of the Gothic Mill Pond.

The Gas Works building itself was made of stone 16-feet in height and 46 feet by 26 feet, divided into four rooms.

This is an 1871 excerpt from the Ripon Free Press.

A force of men was hired to build this facility, along with the “gas chemical system” that was 37 feet in diameter and was located just north (outside) of the building. The ground for this building was selected as “just the right space” for such works; water at hand, plenty of rooms, located away from other buildings in case of accidental explosion or fire, yet still close enough to downtown Ripon to service businesses.

The vision for providing a gas utility system and service was started by Calvin L. Lightburn (1842-1920). Lightburn began his concept three years earlier in 1872 by erecting a gas line system to start lighting street lamps. His business venture at that time cost $25,000 (equivalent to $548,571.76 today).

Lightburn’s plan included the city of Ripon advancing him $1,000 ($23,565.90 today) which he would repay via what would become street lamp “rentals” at $30 each lamp ($706.98 today) per year that, again, the city would pay for.

And the job of building the gas system was hard work. Lightburn is noted as “attending to the laying the pipes himself,” working days and sometimes evenings to complete the utility by fall before winter’s cold months set-in.

Lightburn manufactured the actual gas chemical in his plant by what was then called a “naptha process.” The process took a bituminous liquid that was purchased from Cleveland, Ohio, shipped in barrels to Ripon, emptied into large storage reservoirs and then pumped out as needed.

Being forced into drums turned this liquid into a steam-like gas as it was forced through pipes out into the city of Ripon.

The density of the gas was measured in its weight, which changed seasonally. And since metal utility pipes had not yet been invented, Lightburn delivered his gas chemical in pipes.

The pipes were carved white cedar logs with the center bored out to make them into a “tube-like structure” buried 3 feet into the ground to each location it would service. They were 9 inches in diameter and approximately 2-feet long, although some have been dug up and found to be much longer.

The pipes were coated with a type of creosote oil similar to today’s telephone poles to make them both water and weather proof and were held together with wooden fittings that worked into the ends of the each pipe, acting as “joiners.”

The Ripon Historical Society has sections of these wooden pipes or tubes on display in its antique barn.

On July 4, 1873, the first gas was forced through these wooden tubes throughout the city. And, at that time, the Ripon gas plant was considered one of the newest and most modern utility facilities in Wisconsin.

First use and Riponite’s needs

On July 8, 1875, the first gas street lights were lit in Ripon.

Imagine when people could see sidewalks and streets for the first time in the dark of night.

Areas of Ripon became visible in the evenings.

The first residence to use the gas was located at the corner of Blackburn and Blossom streets. It also was at this time that St. Peter’s Church installed gas lighting to become the first-ever gaslit Ripon house of worship.

Unfortunately, Lightburn’s business model proved unprofitable and therefore was unsuccessful. The business failed financially and was purchased by another person at a sheriff’s foreclosure sale in 1878.

Lightburn lost everything, including the business, his personal money and his home at 303 Blackburn St. (the large Italianate architecture home that eventually became the Republican House restaurant). Everything was sold at a sheriff’s sale.

In 1885, a new gas company was formed and proposed to the City Council to furnish 30 gas lamps at $2 each ($47.13 today). The city was to furnish 20 individual lamp posts.

This offer was accepted by the city of Ripon. The gas company then started providing gas to more homes throughout Ripon.

Gas lines were installed underground along Watson Street, to the M.E. Church and along Jackson Street. By September 1886, the city had 30 gas street lamps installed.

John Kleineider (1842-1918) was authorized by the City Council in 1889 to be the “Keeper of the Lamps” by lighting gas lamps every evening and extinguishing their light early mornings.

He also was authorized to purchase new burner wicks to keep the lamps operating and lit.

Around 1896, the local gas company was taken over by the newly-formed Ripon Light and Water Co.

Wooden pipes were replaced by more durable and longer-lasting metal pipes in 1890.

Gas service to businesses and homes continued to grow, and in 1927 a high-pressure and more modern gas line extended from Berlin into Ripon for access.

Two years later, a high-pressure line from Fond du Lac to Ripon was in use, and in 1950, more modern natural gas became used throughout all of the city.

Even though the original wooden gas pipes no longer are in use, many of them were buried 3 feet deep and still are discovered when land is excavated or dug today. Ripon is one of the only communities that embraced and fully used the wooden gas pipe system to serve its community.

Today, Ripon’s electric and gas services are both accessed and provided via Alliant Energy via a branch location at 506 Fenton St., and many businesses and homes use gas for hot water heaters, cook stoves and ovens, and furnaces.

The Ripon Historical Society is the oldest continually operating historical society in Wisconsin. It is open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information follow us at Facebook/riponhistory or www.riponhistory.org.

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