Electricity

In 1886, most of Burlington was electrified, and, by 1889, electricity had been brought into Montpelier and Barre. Throughout the late 1880s and 1890s, most Vermont cities and villages had received power. Streetlights began to line commercial and residential districts, and horse drawn streetcars were replaced with electric trolleys. Light poured through shop windows and people began strolling the newly lit streets at night. Electricity revolutionized the landscape. The addition of power lines was one of the most significant alterations to the built and natural environments. First constructed up and down city and village centers, the "high line" slowly moved into rural areas at the beginning of the 20^th century. In 1920, 11% of farm families had power, and, in 1930, 30% of farm families had power. During the 1930s, the Rural Electric Service initiative was underway, and a significant portion of rural Vermont was electrified. By 1948, 93% of farm families had power. In 1964, the Victory, Granby, and Jamaica were the last of Vermont towns to receive power.