History of District Heating in the United States

| Chronological List of District Heating Systems in the United States |

District Heating in Burlington, Iowa

The Burlington Steam Supply Company was incorporated in January 1880 and began supplying steam on October 16, 1880. The company was acquired by the Burlington Electric Company in 1892.

The system shut down in July 1920 when it only had seventeen customers.

References
1880 "Steam Supply," Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, January 29, 1880, Page 2.
Organization of a company to supply heat for the city.

1880 "Hot Steam," Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, February 12, 1880, Page 4 | Part 2 |
Complete organization of the steam supply company contracts let

1880 "Steam Supply," Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, October 23, 1880, Page 12.
Last Saturday the steam supply company completed the test of the principal mains in the city and turned on steam for practical use.

1884 "No Money In Supplying Heat from a Common Center," American Gas Light Journal 40:301 (June 16, 1884)
New Haven Heat Supply Company shut off steam from its pipes on the fifth of last May. A large stockholder in the concern said that the loss to the company during the past season had been $5,700, and stated the business had always been operated without profit. He further said that the proprietors were willing to sell the rights, plant, etc., for the sum of $25,000--the original cost of same having been $75,000. The business of supplying steam heat from a central station was proclaimed, at the outset of the scheme, to be one of the grandest schemes of the age. It is rather pitiful now, from the numerous wrecks announced, to contrast these glowing promises with the actual results accomplished. Among the defunct steam heating corporations may be mentioned those of Troy, N. Y.; Detroit, Mich.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Burlington, Iowa; Hartford, Conn.; Lynn, Mass., and one in New York city. Per contra to this it should be said that the surviving company at present operating in this city, claims to have been perfectly successful— even going so far as to say that interest on the plant is easily earned. Perhaps.

1885 Portrait and Biographical Album of Des Moines County, Iowa
Page 761: The Burlington Steam Supply Company was incorporated Jan. 6, 1880, the incorporators being Theo. Guelich, John G. Foote, Dr. G. R. Henry, C. P. Squires, William Gillis, C. W. Spalding, J. B. David, F. B. Jagger, A. Mitchell and Hon. John H. Gear. The capital stock at first was $60,000, but was subsequently increased to $100,000. The first officers were: M. Simpson, President; G. R. Henry, Vice President; John G. Foote, Treasurer. Mr. Simpson served but a short time, when he retired, and was succeeded by Dr. G. R. Henry, who served until May, 1885, when his death occurred. He was succeeded by the present incumbent, Theo. Guelich and John W. Gilbert is now Vice President; J. F Henry, Secretary; T. W. Barhydt, Treasurer; J. J. Spatch, Superintendent.
The plant of this company is substantially built of brick and iron; the building is 115x96 feet in dimensions, with 24-inch walls, iron truss roof, and a side track of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad runs into the building, so that coal is shoveled directly from the cars to the bins. The boilers, which are eight in number, are set in firebrick and are independent of each other. They are all five feet in diameter, six being sixteen feet long and two eighteen feet, and each has fifty-six fourinch flues. There are 12,000 tons of coal used annually. The stack is one of the largest and finest. in the country, being 101 feet in height, 16 feet in diameter from outside to outside, and with a flue eight feet in diameter at the bottom and nine at the top. The company's mains cover the business part of the city, and a large portion of the residence part. Under the care of the present Superintendent, the supply of steam has been ample and satisfactory to the customer. When this business was projected it was predicted that it would prove a failure. The contrary has proved true, and the enterprising gentlemen who ventured on the supposed experiment have reason to congratulate themselves that the business is on such a prosperous footing.

1892 Electrical Review 20:303 (July 30, 1892)
Burlington, Iowa -- The Burlington Steam Supply Company will soon transfer its charter to the Burlington Electric Company, which will introduce a complete plant of electric lighting and power supply.

1920 "No Heat for Burlington," Evening Times-Republican, July 30, 1920, Page 3.| Part 2 |
Steam Supply Company Quits--Means scurry before Winter.