Sunbury in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
First Electric Light
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 28, 2008
1. First Electric Light Marker
First successful use of a three-wire electric lighting system was made July 4, 1883, in the City Hotel building in Sunbury. Thomas A. Edison directed the work. The Edison Electric Illuminating Co. plant was at 4th and Vine Street.
Erected 1947 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1933.
Location. 40° 51.784′ N, 76° 47.804′ W. Marker is in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, in Northumberland County. Marker is at the intersection of Front Street (State Highway 147) and Market Street, on the right when traveling south on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sunbury PA 17801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Beck House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Maclay (about 500 feet away); Northumberland County (about 700 feet away); Erected to the Memory of the World War Heroes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sunbury War Memorials (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lorenzo Da Ponte (1749-1838) (approx. 0.2 miles
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Edison's Electric Light and Power System. ETHW website entry:
This article on the IEEE Global History Network declares this to be the Edison’s third electric light installation. While it was the first electric light installation in Pennsylvania, the first ever was at New York City’s Pearl Street. (Submitted on December 11, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
2. First Electric Light - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 28, 2008
2. First Electric Light Marker
Postcard by the Mebane Greeting Card Company, circa 1935
3. Hotel Edison, Sunbury, Pa.
In 1883 Thomas Edison and his crew used Sunbury's City Hotel as their base during installation of their experimental three-wire electrical system in the town. On the night of July 4th, Edison switched on the current to a 100-candle power light over the City Hotel entrance, to the cheers of residents and marches played by a local brass band. Sunbury's City Hotel, which changed its name to the Hotel Edison soon after the lighting ceremony, remains in operation today. -- ExplorePAHistory.com
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,375 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 20, 2015.
