Centrum Boulevards in Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium — Northwestern Europe

Première Usine à Gaz du Continent / First Gas Factory on the Continent

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 16, 2023

1. Première Usine à Gaz du Continent / First Gas Factory on the Continent Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Ici s’erigea en 1818 première usine à gaz du continent sous les auspices du collège de bourgmestre et échevins de la Ville de Bruxelles et de la Société Civile MEEUS

(English translation:)

Here was erected in 1818 the first gas works on the continent under the auspices of the college of mayors and aldermen of the City of Brussels and the Civil Society MEEUS.

Erected by L’Association des Gaziers Belges.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 50° 51.295′ N, 4° 21.259′ E. Marker is in Bruxelles, Brussels. It is in Centrum Boulevards. Marker is on Rue Saint-Roch, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Rue Saint-Roch 3, Bruxelles, Brussels 1000, Belgium. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Royal Flemish Theatre / Das Königliche Flämische Theater (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Emile Jacqmain (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Adolphe Max (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Le Passage du Nord / De Noord-Passage / The Northern Gallery / Die Nord-Passage

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(approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste au Béguinage / Church of Saint John the Baptist at the Béguinage (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Tour Noire / Zwarte Toren / Black Tower (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Revolving Bridge / Drehbrücke “des Barques” (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Monument: au Pigeon Soldat / aan de Oorlogs Duif / to the War Pigeons (1914-1918) (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bruxelles.

Also see . . . History of manufactured fuel gases (Wikipedia).

On the spread of gas manufacturing from England to the Continent: …In 1817, a company was founded in Brussels by P. J. Meeus-Van der Maelen, and began operating the following year. By 1822, there were companies in Amsterdam and Rotterdam using English technology. In Germany, gaslight was used on a small scale from 1816 onwards, but the first gaslight utility was founded by English engineers and capital. In 1824, the Imperial Continental Gas Association was founded in London to establish gas utilities in other countries. Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet, one if its leaders, signed an agreement
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 16, 2023

2. Première Usine à Gaz du Continent / First Gas Factory on the Continent Marker - wide view
with the government in Hanover, and the gas lamps were used on streets for the first time in 1826.

(Submitted on May 22, 2023.)

Première Usine à Gaz du Continent / First Gas Factory on the Continent Marker - wider view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 16, 2023

3. Première Usine à Gaz du Continent / First Gas Factory on the Continent Marker - wider view

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 59 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.