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Chronological List of District Heating
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Belleville's steam system was started by German immigrant Jacob Brosius and began supplying steam in December 1879. Brosius and others organized the St. Clair Steam Supply Company in 1882, which later also generated electricity.
The steam system proved to be a financial failure and was shut down in 1886.
References
1879 Lockport Daily Courier, August 16, 1879
A company from Belleville, Ill has purchased the right to use the Holly
steam heating system.
1881 History
of St. Clair County, Illinois: With Illustrations Descriptive of Its
Scenery, and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and
Pioneers
Page 194: The Steam Supply Company
In the year 1879, Jacob Brosius, whose attention had been directed to the
advantages which might result from the distribution of steam for heating
and power purposes from some central works, made the necessary
preparations, and in December, 1879, began furnishing steam. The necessary
buildings were erected at Kronthal, Mr. Brosius’ residence, in the east of
Belleville, and from there pipes conduct the steam to various parts of the
city. The establishment began with few customers, the number of which,
however, steadily increased. During the winter of 1880-81, steam was
furnished to fifty-five places in Belleville, including the court house
and some of the larger buildings. The result was in every way
satisfactory. During the coldest weather of an extremely cold winter an
agreeable and even temperature was maintained, while the patrons of the
steam works were relieved from many of the inconveniences which attend the
use of coal. Steam power was also furnished to seven engines. Arrangements
have been made to greatly extend the service of the works during the
winter of 1881-2. Belleville was the first place in the State of Illinois
to adopt this arrangement, and parties from other cities, who have
inspected the operations of the works at Belleville, assert that the
system in use here is the finest in existence. The pipe through the
streets, usually six and eight inches in diameter, is laid in insulating
boxes, made under a new invention, for which Mr. Brosius holds recent
patents. By this arrangement much saving of heat is gained. The works
represent an investment of $45,000. Jacob Brosius is the sole owner.
Twenty acres of coal land, adjoining the works, will furnish a supply of
coal sufficient for thirty years. An ample supply of water is also at
hand, so that the works are prepared to furnish unlimited supplies of
steam on a cheap and economical basis.
Mr. Brosius has otherwise been interested in several enterprises of
benefit to Belleville. In 1879 he placed an electric clock in the tower of
his residence, with which connection is made with striking apparatus in
some of the school buildings and with the bell of the Methodist Episcopal
church. By this means the city is furnished with correct time. In 1872 he
erected a steam pump near his residence by which a tank at the Oil Works
is kept filled with water. This water is used in sprinkling the streets of
the city.
1882 "New Corporations,"
Illinois State Journal, March 27, 1882, Page 8.
St. Clair Steam Supply Company, of Belleville, capital stock $50,000;
incorporators, Jacob Brosius, August Tieman and Henry G. Weber.
1936 "George
W. Knobeloch at 73 Views His Pioneering Activities in Belleview's Power
Industry," Belleview News-Democrat, June 2, 1936, Page 6.
“In 1849 Mr Jacob Brosius came to Belleville from Cronberg, Germany. He
was a graduate mechanical engineer and an inventor He became interested in
different manufacturing concerns in the city among which was the Brosius
Oil Works, manufacturing castor oil under a process he invented.
"In 1880 he built a central steam heating plant on the corner of East Main
street and Grand avenue, laid a main pipe line along East Main street to
the Public Square, and lateral lines along Mascoutah avenue, Abend street,
South Jackson street and North and South High streets,
"This plant furnished heat to the Court House, County Jail located at the
corner of South Jackson and Washington streets, many of the business
houses along East Main Street, and residences along the lateral pipe line.
"In 1882. Mr Brosius organized the St. Clair Steam Supply and Electric
Light Company, and interested my uncles, Thomas and Balthaser Knobeloch,
and a number of other Bellevilleans in the business.
"During this year the company installed a Fuller-Wood arc lighting system,
in the small brick building, still standing and occupied as a residence on
the north side of East Main Street about one block west of Grand avenue.
"Here they began lighting the streets of the city under aa yearly
moon-light schedule contract.
"This plan was the first electric lighting plant installed in the State of
Illinois.
Blessed or Cursed
"The company also operated a coal mine, located about 100 feat east of the
electric light plant, and mined all the coal used in its steam heating and
electric plants.
"During the summer of 1886, the steam heating plant, a financial failure,
owing to the heavy condensation and loss of heat in the long pipe
lines--was abandoned, ahd plant dismantled, and the boilers and pipes
disposed of.
© 2024 Morris A. Pierce