West Bend in Washington County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Rural Power Line

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 16, 2014

1. First Rural Power Line Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The first strictly rural electric power line in the United States was built in 1919 by West Bend Heating and Lighting Company, which was founded in 1907 by Adam Kuehlthau. It was 24 miles long and served 57 farmers in the townships of West Bend, Barton, Addison and Wayne. Monthly charges were determined by the number of lights in the home.

Erected 1969 by Washington County Historical Society and the Wisconsin Council for Local History. (Marker Number 72.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 43° 26.037′ N, 88° 12.981′ W. Marker is in West Bend, Wisconsin, in Washington County. Marker is on Wildwood Road (County Route B) half a mile north of Washington Avenue (Wisconsin Highway 33), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in Albecker Natural Area Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Approx 1059 Wildwood Road, West Bend WI 53090, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The West Bend Aluminum Company (approx. 1½ miles away);

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Stephan F. Mayer Home (approx. 1.6 miles away); Barton Historic District (approx. 1.7 miles away); Washington House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Old Settlers Triangle (approx. 1.8 miles away); Bernhard "Ben" C. Ziegler (approx. 1.8 miles away); Barton (approx. 1.9 miles away); James Kneeland House (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Bend.

More about this marker. Marker is Wisconsin Registered Landmark #72.

Additional keywords. Rural Electrificaton

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 16, 2014

2. First Rural Power Line Marker

East side (street side) of two sided marker.

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 16, 2014

3. First Rural Power Line Marker

from street.

Albecker Natural Area sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 16, 2014

4. Albecker Natural Area sign

Marker is located on the other side of this sign.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 541 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 18, 2014, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.