May 8, 1916 Street lights in the Village

While looking through the paper files at the Interlaken Historical Society, I came across a document regarding village street lights. The mental light bulb went on, a snippet! The agreement, from the Village Board meeting of May 8, 1916 noted, “This agreement made this eighth day of May, A.D. nineteen hundred and sixteen, between the OVID ELECTRIC COMPANY, … party of the first part, and the Village of Interlaken…”

It was while trying to find more information on street lights that it became clear that this document was a continuation of earlier agreements. And the relationship hadn’t always been bright and shining either.

Wheeler Bassett wrote a lengthy article about changes to village life in February 1918. “Interlaken was incorporated as a village March 2, 1904… Of the changes wrought since then the village speaks for itself. Instead of the volunteer lamp post we have the beautiful electric light. In place of muddy streets and board walks we have paved streets and cement walks.”

One of the encouragements for incorporation was the addition of street lights. June 10, 1904, just three months after the vote, “the rain on Wednesday and Thursday put a stop to all outdoor work, including telephone and electric light work in this village. Street lights cannot be turned on for some days yet.” [Farmer Review]

February 3, 1911 “The high wind last Saturday and again on Monday, put the street lights out of commission, burning out a dozen lamps, which cannot be removed for a week or so yet.” [Interlaken Review]

Interlaken Review April 28, 1911, editor T. P. Hause noted, “No street lights this week. The service will be resumed as soon as Mr. Buys removes the regulator from its present location in the editor’s auto house, where it makes void our insurance. Mr. Buys has promised to give the matter attention as soon as he possibly can. In the meantime, the streets will remain unlighted and he gets no pay from the village.”

For anyone who has worked on a municipal budget, it can be an interesting process. February 16, 1906, an article recommended residents be involved, attending the budget meetings, and encouraging the addition of seven more street lights, the relocation of others, and accepting a $100.00 increase in the village budget to make it all happen. [Interlaken Review]

November 26, 1920 “Street lights have been out on several occasions lately, much to the discomfort of citizens, ladies especially. It has been ascertained the cause was the breaking of a street lamp by boys who threw stones at the burning lamp until they smashed the bulb, thus breaking the circuit and putting out the entire system.” The article goes on to suggest appropriate punishment by parents and ends with, “before the electric light people get a little more angry and take legal steps to stop this great expense and annoyance to them.”
From the Interlaken Review Looking Back Ten Years ago November 8, 1940, [1930], “Three 600 candlepower street lights have been placed on Main street in this village by the NYSEG corporation to demonstrate the possibilities of stronger bulbs.”

The topic of street lights is still a significant part of Village budget and meeting agendas. Today, 111 years later, there are more street lights, and the discussions include installing new lights and involve LED and/or solar powered lights.

Dewitt’s Diary Monday May 8, 1922

Clear and cool north wind this morning. Carman is plowing and I am helping Edna wash. It is too breezy to spray this morning.

Peaches and cherries are hurt some by freezes but there is going to be a heavy crop of other fruits. Every fruit tree is covered with buds.

I shot a large woodchuck with the shotgun tonight. Making 4 shot since a week ago Sunday.

My wheat is looking fine. Spring wheat and oats are up.