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Chronological List of District Heating
Systems in the United States |
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| New York Steam Company System in 1882 | 1883 General map showing the locations of properties owned by the Company | 1932 Downtown steam system | 1932 Uptown steam system |
New York City, and in particular Manhattan, saw two steam systems built in 1882. The New York Steam Company was well-engineered, began operating in March, and continues to operate today with a much enlarged distribution network. The American Heating and Power Company began service later that year and managed to cause several explosions in lower Manhattan that were apparently caused by water hammer. The become suspended operations shortly thereafter and was bankrupt.
A third system, the Prall New York Heating Company, was based on William E. Prall's Superheated water design. Apart from cooking a delicious meal for the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Civil Engineers in November 1880, the company did not have the financial resources to build a system. Prall later designed the Boston Heating Company that began operating in 1888 and became a spectacular failure.
The New York Steam
Company encountered financial difficulties during the First World War, as
did many district heating systems. They entered receivership in
April 1918 and emerged in 1921 as the New York Steam Corporation.
The Consolidated Gas Company bought a controlling interest in the steam
company in 1929 and it was fuly merged into Con Ed in 1954.
References
1860 Hydrogenated
Fuel Company, December 15, 1860, Compilation of Laws and
Ordinances (enacted Since January 1, 1860.): Relating to Railroads and
Other Corporations (including Ferries) in the City of New York. Prepared
in the Office of the Counsel to the Corporation (1888).
Pages 289-290: Grants to the Hydrogenated Fuel Company of the City
of New York, the right to lay pipes for conducting hydrogenated fuel and
other heating agents for heating and other domestic purposes, through the
streets, avenues, lanes, alleys, squares
1870 "Exhaust Steam for Heating Purposes," by Charles E. Emery, American Artisan 10:162-163 (March 16, 1870)
1875 "The
Fireside of the Future," The
Evening Post (New York, New York), December 29, 1875, Page 2.
Any block of buildings might be heated as easily as are the great inns and
other large buildings, if the several owners would only join hands; but if
they will not there is place and profit for a steam heating company in
New-York. A company organized as the gas companies are, with boiler houses
and steam mains properly jacketed, could furnish heat to houses at a much
smaller cost than any householder can make it for himself, and such a
company would not long lack business. The insurance associations would
lend it powerful aid by their influence, and every physician would become
a personal advocate of its cause.
1877 "The
Coming Age of Steam," The
Evening Post (New York, New York), January 26, 1877, Page 2.
It has been somewhat more than a year since the Evening Post first
suggested the propriety of heating towns and cities by steam, the steam to
be furnished to householders by a company, precisely as gas is already
furnished. When we made this suggestion and pointed out the desirability
of its adoption we had little doubt that in due time some company would
act upon it, but we had little reason to expect that practical measures
would follow as speedily as they have done.
1877 "Heating a City by Steam," The World (New York, New York, January 26, 1877, Page 5.
1878 "Validity
of the Holly Patent," The New York Times, March 26, 1878,
Page 1.
Lockport, N.Y., March 25.- The Holly Manufacturing Company, of this city,
have just gained an important suit, involving the exclusive right of the
company to construct water-works on the Holly system of direct pumping and
without a receiver or stand-pipe. The suit was commenced about four
years ago at Indianapolis, Ind., before Judge Drumond, in the United
States Circuit Court, who decided, affirming the validity of the Holly
patent.
1878 "New
Uses for Steam," New York Times, June 2, 1878, Page 6 | Part
2 |
Mention of Lockport steam system
1878 Articles of Agreement between Hawley D. Clapp and the Holly Steam Combination Company Limited, June 4, 1878.
1878 "Spinola's Steam Heating Job," New York Times, October 19, 1878, Page 6.
1878 Francis
B. Spinola, December 11, 1878, Compilation of Laws and
Ordinances (enacted Since January 1, 1860.): Relating to Railroads and
Other Corporations (including Ferries) in the City of New York. Prepared
in the Office of the Counsel to the Corporation (1888).
Page 347: Gives permission to Francis B. Spinola and his associates,
subject to such terms, limitations, restrictions, and conditions, as may
be fixed by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, to lay mains and pipes
within the lines of the streets, avenues, and public places in this city,
with such connections as may be necessary for the purpose of supplying
steam under "The Holly Combination System," to the city and its
inhabitants for heating, cooking, and all other domestic purposes, as well
as for any and all uses for which steam can be employed.
1878 "The Public Aspect of Steam Heating," New York Times, December 30, 1878, Page 4.
[1878] The
Prall System of Heating Cities and Supplying Power by Hot Water,
by William E. Prall
It is true that the more modern and expensive establishments, such as
hotels, public buildings, and a few of the more costly private houses,
have been provided with steam-heating apparatus, but while it may justify
the expenditure for separate steam generators, and maintenance thereof, in
such places, it would not be within the means of the masses to do so,
hence many attempts have lately' been made to make steam wholesale as it
were, and retail it to customers both for heating, and power purposes,
through pipes, extending over a large area, and at considerable distances
from the generators or boilers.
Confined to comparatively small areas the system has proved profitable, as
shown by the Manhattan Real Estate Association, who for many years past
have supplied the district lying between Thomas and Worth streets on
Broadway, New York, with both heat and power, from a battery of boilers.
The system has met with equal success in other cities for many years,
notwithstanding the immense loss from radiation and condensation.
1879 "A
Big Blaze," The Boston Globe, January 18, 1879, Page 1.
Another conflagration in New York City. [The burned buildings were owned
and heated by the Manhattan Real Estate Association, as mentioned in the
above Prall document.]
1879 "General
Spinola Removed," New York Daily Herald, March 5, 1879, Page
8.
The Steam Heating Company dispense with the services of the statesman with
the collar -- reasons for doing so.
1879 An act to authorize the laying of pipes in the streets, avenues, and public places in the various cities, towns, and villages of this State, for heating and other purposes. May 19, 1879, New York Session Laws 1879, Chapter 317.
1879 Agreement between W.C Andrews. Hawley D. Clapp and Francis B. Spinola, July 17, 1879.
1879 "The
Steam Heating and Power Company of New York," New-York Tribune,
July 30, 1879, Page 8.
A certificate of incorporation has been filed in the County Clerk's office
by "The Steam Heating and Power Company of New-York," the object of which
is to manufacture and lay steam pipes through the streets of the city for
heating, cooking and all other purposes for which steam can be used. The
capital stock is fixed at $5,000,000, and is divided into 50,000 shares of
$100 each. The trustees for the first year are Wallace C. Andrews, of
Cleveland, Oho, Hawley D.Clapp, of New-York City, Ashhel Humphreys, of
Brooklyn, and James W. Hawes, New- York City.
1880 "Hawley D. Clapp," obituary, New York Times, January 6, 1880, Page 5.
1880 United
States Heating and Power Company incorporated, January 19, 1880,
Page 8.
William B. Hotchkiss
1880 "Supplying
Heat and Power," New-York Tribune, February 19, 1880, Page 8.
William B. Hotchkiss, president of the United States Steam Heating and
Power Company.
The company was incorporated on January 19. General William F. Smith
is interested in the company.
1880 United
States Heating and Power Co. March l6, 1880, Compilation of Laws
and Ordinances (enacted Since January 1, 1860.): Relating to Railroads
and Other Corporations (including Ferries) in the City of New York.
Prepared in the Office of the Counsel to the Corporation (1888).
Pages 358-359: Grants to the United States Heating and Power
Company, a corporation existing and duly organized under the laws of the
State, their heirs, successors, and assigns, the right to lay mains and
pipes in the streets, avenues, alleys, lanes, and public places in this
city, with such connections as may be required for the purpose of
conveying hot water and steam, to supply to the city and its inhabitants
heat and power for all domestic and other purposes for which hot water or
steam may or can be used, under the following conditions, viz.:
The company shall, in advance of opening the streets, furnish to the
Department of Public Works an accurate map of the work proposed to be
done, with the intended position of the mains and pipes, and give a bond
to the city, to be approved by the Comptroller in the sum of fifty
thousand dollars, to protect the city against any accident that may occur
under the permission hereby conferred, as well as to replace the pavement
in any of the streets, avenues, or places where such mains or pipes may be
laid.
The Department of Public Works shall have the right to change the
positions of such mains and pipes whenever they interfere with free access
to the sewers, mains, and pipes belonging to the city, and should any
changes be hereafter made in the mains, etc., belonging to the city, by
which a necessity should arise for changing the position of the mains and
pipes of said company, such change shall be made without expense to the
city.
The company shall furnish such heat and power as may be required for
streets and public buildings, at prices to be fixed by the Board of
Estimate and Apportionment.
The number and position of the hydrants shall be determined by the
Department of Public Works.
An annual report under oath shall be made by the Secretary of the Company
to the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, which shall have the power,
after receipt of such report, if in its judgment shall be just, to impose
a tax of three cents per lineal foot on the mains laid by the company, and
two per cent. of the net profits of the company for the year for which
such report has been made.
The right to lay mains and pipes in this city shall cease and determine in
three years from this date, unless the company shall have then laid and
opened for public use two miles of mains, unless prevented by legal
proceedings.
Under and subject to the foregoing conditions, the United States Heating
and Power Company shall and is hereby granted the right to lay mains and
pipes in the streets, avenues, alleys, lanes, and public places within the
limits of this city.
Page 378: Amended
April 6th, 1881. In accordance with the request in writing of the
Trustees of the United States Heating and Power Company, dated April 4,
1881, the fifth condition of the franchise or grant to said company, to
use the streets, etc., of the city for laying its pipes, conductors, etc.,
passed March 16, 1880, (Proceedings of 1880, page 64,) is amended so as to
read as follows:
A report, under oath, shall be made by the secretary of the company, to
the Comptroller, on or before the 17th day of March, each year, setting
forth the quantity of mains laid during the preceding year, and the net
profits of the company for the same time, and the company shall pay to the
Comptroller, on or before the first day of May, in each year, three cents
for each lineal foot for the mains laid, and two per cent. of the net
profits for the year embraced in such report of the secretary.
1880 An
act to amend chapter two hundred and ninety of the laws of eighteen
hundred and seventy-nine, entitled "An act to amend chapter one hundred
and forty-nine of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-four,
entitled 'An act to amend an act, passed April twenty-seventh, eighteen
hundred and seventy-two, entitled 'An act to amend chapter six hundred
and fifty-seven of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-one,
entitled 'An act to amend an act, passed February seventeenth, eighteen
hundred and forty-eight, entitled 'An act to authorize the formation of
corporations for manufacturing, mining, mechanical or chemical
purposes,'" passed April twentieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-one,
and to legalize the formation and acts of certain corporations formed
according to the provisions of chapter three hundred and seventy-four of
the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-seven. May 8, 1880. New
York Session Laws 1880, Chapter 241.
§1. Or the supplying of hot water or hot air or steam for motive power,
heating, cooking or other useful applications in the streets and public
and private buildings of any city, village or town in this State,
1880 Prall
New York Heating Co. September 7, 1880, Compilation of Laws and
Ordinances (enacted Since January 1, 1860.): Relating to Railroads and
Other Corporations (including Ferries) in the City of New York. Prepared
in the Office of the Counsel to the Corporation (1888).
Pages 362-367: Authorizes and empowers the "Prall New York Heating
Company" to lay pipes within the lines of the streets and avenues of the
city, for conveying hot water or steam for the purpose of supplying heat
and power to the inhabitants of the city, under the following terms,
conditions, and restrictions, viz.:
1880 "Steam
Heating Company," New York Herald, July 27, 1880, Page 1.
James H. Briggs, F. Edson, and C.W. Hurst are named as trustees of the New
York Steam Company. The objects are to manufacture and supply steam. air.
or other aeriform fluids for motive power, heating. &c., in the
streets and public and private buildings of New York. The capital is
placed at $5,000,000.
1880 The "Prall" System of Supplying Heat and Power to Cities by means of superheated water, by Prall Union Heating Company
1880 "The 'Prall' System," The Plumber and Sanitary Engineer, 3:448 (October 15, 1880)
1880 "Annual
Meeting of the American Society of Civil Engineers," Engineering
News 7:391 (November 20, 1880)
Thursday, November 11. To One hundred and Twenty-fifth street, where
lunch awaited them at the establishment of the Prall Union Heating Co.
1880 "Roasting
with Hot Water," Mining and Scientific Press 41:359
(December 4, 1880)
A most novel and interesting experiment is now being conduced at 256 West
125th street, New York city, where the Prall Union Heating Co., have
erected a plant to demonstrate the principles involved in their system of
supplying steam for power, or for heating purposes, and heat for cooking
purposes.
1880 New
York Steam Company December 14, 1880, Compilation of Laws and
Ordinances (enacted Since January 1, 1860.): Relating to Railroads and
Other Corporations (including Ferries) in the City of New York. Prepared
in the Office of the Counsel to the Corporation (1888).
Pages 369-372: The New York Steam Company, a corporation formed
under the laws of this state (certificate of incorporation filed July 26,
1880,) its successors or assigns, shall have and is hereby granted the
right to lay mains and pipes in any and all the streets, avenues, lanes,
alleys, squares, highways, and public places in the city, with the
necessary and proper laterals and service pipes thereto, for the purpose
of supplying to the city and its inhabitants, for motive power, heating,
cooking, or other useful applications, steam, water, air, and other
fluids, at both high and low pressure, with necessary return pipes, and to
make all necessary excavations in said streets, avenues, and other places
aforesaid, for the purpose of laying such mains and pipes and of making
all necessary additions, repairs, and alterations thereto, and of putting
in place any manholes and vaults necessary to secure convenient access to
parts requiring adjustment, subject, however, to the following regulations
and conditions:
1881 "American
Heating Power Company," New York Times, February 22, 1881, Page 1.
ALBANY, Feb. 21.- Johnston Livingstone, William E. Dodge, and others
to-day filed articles of incorporation as Trustees of the American Heating
Power Company, with a capital of $6,000.000. The company is to supply hot
air or steam for motive power and other purposes in New-York.
1881 "Experiments with Non-Conductors of Heat," by Charles E. Emery, Transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2:34-40 (May 1881)
1881 Consolidation of the Steam Heating and Power Company of New York and the New York Steam Company was agreed to, May 3, 1881.
1881 "The
Fuel of the Future," The New York Times, June 21, 1881, Page
4.
There an be no reasonable doubt that the fuel of the future, for use in
our dwelling-houses, will be some kind of gas, distributed through the
City precisely as illuminating gas is now delivered. The use of coal is
extravagant, wasteful, and inconvenient, and the dust and smoke arising
from it add much to the impurities of the air, while the removal of from
100 to 200 pounds of ashes for every ton of coal burned is a great
annoyance. Several substitutes for solid fuel have been proposed, all of
which have strong advocates. These are steam heat, hot water, and gaseous
fuel. So far as the warming of dwellings is concerned, it must be admitted
that Mr. Holly has succeeded in demonstrating that steam can be generated
at a central station and economically distributed for this purpose. But
for cooking purposes steam beat supplied in this way cannot be made
available. At the present time it is the custom to use steam for heating
purposes at higher pressures than formerly, sometimes as high as twenty
pounds to the square inch. The prospects for the hot water system do not
seem promising of great success. The practical difficulty of maintaining
constant circulation through a great number of pipes running in every
direction seems to be almost insurmountable.
Moreover, granting that this difficulty is overcome in practice, a fatal
objection still remains, which is that the temperature of an apartment
heated by hot-water pipes cannot be easily regulated; for, if the room is
too warm, the water cannot be shut off like steam, but must remain in the
pipes if the circulation is interrupted, and part with its beat gradually,
or if more beat is required, the fires must be quickened, and the water
has to make an entire circuit before the benefit is felt. The temperature
of the water in the Prall system, which is, perhaps, the best known of
all, is to be about 400° to 425° Fahrenheit. Such a high temperature
involves a pressure at the boiler of not less than nineteen or twenty
atmospheres, and it is doubtful if such a pressure can be regarded as
quite safe. The system of heating that is destined to supersede all others
is by means of a gaseous fuel. For this purpose a suitable gas can be
manufactured very cheaply, and there need be no more difficulty or danger
attending its use than is met with now in the use of illuminating gas.
By passing. current of steam through an incandescent mass of coal in a
suitable furnace, the oxygen of the steam combines with the carbon of the
coal to form combustible gas, while the other constituent of the steam,
hydrogen gas, which is also combustible, is set free. The mixture of
carbon oxide and hydrogen thus produced is the so-called " water gas," and
it is this gas which seems likely to come largely into use for a household
fuel. A not unimportant fact in connection with this gas is that although
it will explode when mixed with the proper proportion of air, its
explosive energy is much less than that of ordinary illuminating gas. The
introduction of gaseous fuel would not necessitate very great changes in
the stoves and ranges now in use.
The convenience and economy of the system commend it to every one
1881 "New
Buildings to be Erected," New York Times, August 27, 1881, Page 8.
Plans were submitted to the Bureau of Buildings yesterday, by the
Steam-heating and Power Company of this City, for a boiler-house, to be
situated at Nos. 170, 172, and 174 Greenwich-street. The building is to be
of brick, with a frontage of 77 feet, a depth of 120 feet, and five
stories high. The plans are drawn by Charles E. Emery, engineer, and the
building will be erected by the company under the direction of Mr. Emery
and Mr. Crittenden, the Superintendent. The estimated cost of the building
is $175,000.
1881 Wallace C. Andrews acquired control of the New York Steam Company, which had a broader franchise than the Steam Heating and Power Company, September 15, 1881.
1881 United States Heating and Power Company assigns its rights to the American Heating and Power Company, September 8, 1881
1881 "The New York Steam Company," The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, October 3, 1881, Page 1.
1881 "The Distribution of Light and Heat in New York City," Scientific American 45(21):319-320 (November 19, 1881) | also here |
1882 "Chimneys
Taller then the Bunker Hill Shaft," New York Herald, March
30, 1882, Page 4 | another copy with cleaner
text |
The New York Steam Company turned on its power in nearly a mile of pipes
on Tuesday night. These pipes are under Greenwich street from Cortlandt
street to Warren street, and in Warren, Barclay, and Courtlandt streets,
Workmen are laying others in deep trenches in Broadway above and below
Liberty street. There have been some complaints by merchants of the
slowness with which the work progresses, but it is said that this is due
to the fact that the pipes are surrounded by brickwork tiled in with
mineral wool and covered with wood or stone. The Broadway and
Cortlandt street mains are 15-inch pipes; the ethers 11-inch pipes. It is
designed to lay pipes along Broadway from the Battery to Canal street. The
power station to supply this district is now building on the site of the
Pacific Hotel on Greenwich street, above Cortlandt street. The third story
is now being finished. It is to be six stories in height. and taller and
proportionately heavier than the Post Office. It will have two chimneys
each 225 feet high, or higher than the Bunker Hill monument. It will
contain sixty-four boilers of 250 horse power each. The company at present
intends to equip nine other such
stations in Varies parts of the city. Although the steam was turned on, it
as mot yet been furnished to any customers.
1882 "Steam-Heating,"
Chicago Tribune, June 7, 1882, Page 11 | Part
2 |
Some Account of the System Employed -- Difficulties Which Have Been
Overcome-The Experiment About to Have a Fair Trial
1882 The Prall New York Heating Company changes its name to the New York Superheated Water Company, September 1, 1882, Laws of the state of New York 1883:773
1882 "The
Highest in New-York," The New York Times, November 19, 1882,
Page 2. | Part
2 |
Working on top of a very tall chimney.
1883 "The New York Steam-Heating Companies," Coal 2(1):3 (January 3, 1883)
1883 "The
New York Steam Co.," The Independent, January 4, 1883, Page
19.
Announces, to avoid misapprehension, that is has been supplying steam for
eight months, and that it is now prepared to furnish steam in any quantity
on the line of its mains, at an average pressure of 75 pounds, day and
night.
The accidents to steam-pipes, so often chronicled in the daily papers, and
the consequent opening and reopening of public streets on the east side of
Broadway and the escape of steam from man-holes has nothing to do with the
work of this company, as such troubles began many months after this
Company began operations, and nearly all of its pipes are west of
Broadway.
This Company lays its pipes in clean boards, in a substantial conduit,
usually of brick. It does not use lampblack or tan bark for packing
purposes.
This company has pipes in Broadway, extending from Bowling Green to Warren
Street, generally on the west side of the center of the street. It also
has pipes in Wall Street, in Pine, Fulton, Maiden Lane, Ann Street,
Theater Alley, and Park Row. In no case does escaping from manholes in the
streets come from the pipes of this company.
On the West Side this company has pipes in Greenwich, Liberty, Cortlandt.
Fulton, Vesey, Barclay, Park Place, and Warren Streets.
PROMINENT CONSUMERS ARE THE AMERICAN EXPRESS Co., Mutual Union Telegraph
Co.. Chatham National Bank, and thirteen others on Broadway; Bank of New
York; Alexander Duncan; the Stone Building on Liberty Street; Parke, Davis
& Co., Maiden Lane; New York Commercial Advertiser, U.S. Illuminating
Co.: Stockwell & Co., in Ann Street: Nash & Crook; S.V. R. Cruger,
Thomas Kelley, and three others in Barclay Street; A.& F.Brown, Koster
& Bial; Theo. Stewart, Well Brothers: Smith & McNeil's restaurant,
North River Bank; Metropolitan Job Printing Establishment, and eight
others in Vesey Street: and C. H. Delamater & Co. and fourteen others
in Cortlandt Street.
THE STEAM NOW FURNISHED BY THIS COMPANY IS generated at its station "B,"
in Greenwich Street, near Cortlandt, distinguished by its large chimney.
THE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY ARE W.C. ANDREWS, President; William P. Shinn.
Vice-President; J.A. Bostwick, Treasurer: R.E. Rockwell, Secretary;
Charles E. Emery, Engineer and Superintendent.
All communications should be addressed to THE NEW YORK STEAM COMPANY, No.
22 CORTLANDT STREET, NEW YORK.
1883 "General Steam Supply for New York City," Engineering and Building Record 7(8):171-172 (January 25, 1883) and x
1883 "Note Relating to 'Water-Hammer' in Steam Pipes," by Robert H. Thurston, Transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 4:404-409 (June 1883)
1883 The
New York Steam Company
General map showing the locations of properties owned by the Company for
ten steam stations now operated and to be constructed; also the principal
streets in which steam mains are now laid and intended to be laid during
the seasons of 1884, '85, '86. The mains to be extended as fast as
possible to cover 250 miles of streets.
1884 New York Steam Company system of street steam distribution in New York City. Statement of Progress made to January 1, 1884.
1884 "Auction
Sales," The New York Times, January 16, 1884, Page 7.
The Farmers' Loan and Trust Company against the American Heating and Power
Company
Includes several details about the company and its property.
1884 "The
Distribution of Steam in Cities," by William P. Shinn, Vice
President New York Steam Company, Transactions of the American
Institute of Mining Engineers 12:632-638 (February 1884) | also here
| Map showing the Location of the
Mains and Services of The New York Steam Co. |
Includes details on systems in Lockport, Springfield, Dubuque, Denver,
Hartford, Lynn, New Haven, Troy, Detroit, Milwaukee, and New York City
1884 "Work
of the Steam Company," New-York Tribune, March 17, 1884,
Page 5.
The ground covered and buildings supplied--why there are no explosions.
1884 "With
a Thunderous Roar," New York Herald, May 28, 1884, Page 4.
Frightful escape of a vast quantity of a Steam Supply company's property.
1885 "The Station B Chimney of the New York Steam Co.," by Charles E. Emery, Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers 14:180-184 (April 1885) | Another copy |
1886 "Firemen Strike Steam Company," The Jersey Journal, March 3, 1886, Page 2.
1886 "Officers
of a Steam Company Drive Coal Carts," St. Louis Post Dispatch,
March 6, 1886, Page 2.
New York Longshoremen inaugurate a strike against the steam company.
1887 "Electric
Motors," by Wm. Baxter, Jr., Proceedings of the National
Electric Light Association 3:373-409 (February 1887)
Page 438: It is said that in New York city the New York Steam
Company is furnishing power to four hundred and thirty-five engines.
1887 "The Comparative Value of Steam and Hot Water for Transmitting Heat and Power," by Charles E. Emery, Transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 8:512-528 (May, 1887)
1887 Investments in New York City, New York Steam Company, July 1, 1887
1887 The
Record and Guide, July 2, 1887
Page 902: Franchise granted by Mayor, &c., New York, to United
States Heating and Power Co. James Millward to Theodore N. Vail. June 28,
1887
1887 The
Record and Guide, July 30, 1887
Page 1016 Franchise to lay mains and pipes in the sts, aves, alleys, lands
and public places of the city of New York. Theodore N. Vail to New York
Heating Co. C. a. G. July 23. $25,000
1888 "Heating Cities by Steam," by Charles E. Emery, Journal of the Franklin Institute 126:199-222 (March 1888)
1888 "Heating Cities by Steam," by Charles E. Emery, Scientific American Supplement, 25(639supp):10200-10203 (March 31, 1888)
1888 "Station J, New York Steam Co.," Engineering and Building Record 17:279 (April 7, 1888) | 17:293 (April 14, 1888) |
1889 "The District Distribution of Steam in the United States," by Charles Edward Emery, with discussion, Minutes of the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers 97:196-264 (1889)x
1890 "Pipe Details of the New York Steam Company," The Engineering and Building Record 21(22):347 (May 3, 1890)
1891 "District
Steam Systems," by Charles E. Emery, Transactions of the
American Society of Civil Engineers 24:188-222 (March 1891)
Page 190: Plate
XVIII showing pipe details
Page 194: The return pipes of the New York Steam Company finally
caused so much difficulty from leakage, that the present management
decided to dispense with them, and this has been done on the east side of
Broadway and in many streets on the west side, by arranging that the water
of condensation from the heating coils of the buildings be discharged to
the sewers. This is the method originally adopted by the original Holly
company, which, it is well known, has put up a large number of plants for
heating buildings in small cities throughout the country. Its general plan
in heating a dwelling, was to run the pipes to and from the radiators as
usual, and discharge the water of condensation.
Page 202: Plate
XIX showing pipe details
Page 205: It would be entirely practicable in some cities to carry
out a plan proposed for San Francisco, to wit, to use high steam pressure
in the manufacturing and office neighborhoods, discharge the exhaust steam
into other steam mains, and conduct the same to dwelling neighborhoods in
the vicinity, for heating purposes, from which the return water would
either be discharged into the sewers at a low temperature under proper
supervision, or if water was high priced, be returned to the station.
1894 "Heating
by Steam from an Electric-Light Plant," The Engineering Record
39(23):371 (May 5, 1894)
The New York Steam Company abandoned the use of returns some years ago as
they could not be made to work properly.
1899 "Heat
and Power Shut Off," New-York Tribune, February 28, 1899,
page 14.
Confusion caused by city employees interfering with the New York Steam
Company's water supply.
The light, heat and power supplied by the New-York Steam Company whose
plant is at Washington and Dey sts., were shut off a little after 2.30
o'clock yesterday afternoon. Electric lights went out, elevators refused
to run and heat was wanting.
The cause of all this confusion and inconvenience and discomfort was the
shutting off of the water supply to the New York Steam Company. Employees
of the Water Supply Department of the city were putting in a hydrant in
front of the building without informing the steam company. The
hydrant was put in, but the but the employees forgot to turn on the water
again.
The first thing the New York Steam Company's employees knew was that the
water in their boilers was running low. The fires were put out. and an
investigation was made. Steam was turned off in all the district which is
supplied. Then it was learned that the water had been shut off. The Water
Supply Department was informed and employees were hurriedly sent around to
turn on the water again. But the lower part of the city for more than two
hours was without light, heat and power so far as the big buildings were
concerned.
Nearly all of the big buildings as far north as Duane-st., with West
Broadway on the west and Nassau-st. on the east, extending to the Battery,
get steam from this company. This steam used for running the dynamos and
the elevators.
The shut-off of these three important factors in some of the big downtown
buildings came unexpectedly and without warning. In the Stock-Exchange and
other big buildings down town, which swarm with people, there was the
utmost confusion. Most of the large halls and vestibules of the big
sky-scraping buildings, which are usually lighted by electricity, were in
Cimmerian darkness, and candle and lamps were used light up the halls.
The smaller buildings, which derive their entire lighting and heating
power supply from the New-York Steam Company, were in a bad fix. Stout men
perspired as they tolled up and down the tortuous stairways.
B. F. Seadler, secretary of the New-York Steam Company, said that no
notice was given to the company. He said that some foreman took on himself
the shutting off of the water and neglected to turn it on again. He
further stated that it was no fault of the steam company. They were
obliged to turn off the steam and bank the fires when the water ran low In
the boilers.
1900 "Killed
by Explosion," The Call, August 13, 1900, Page 1.
Three employees of the New York Steam Heating Co. were killed this morning
by the explosion of a 15-inch pipe elbow.
1900 The
History of Public Franchises in New York City: Boroughs of
Manhattan and the Bronx
Pages 182-184: Steam Heating
1913 An Act to amend the public service commissions law, in relation to steam heating corporations, May 14, 1913. Laws of New York 1913, Chapter 505
1913 Report
of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State
of New York for the year ending December 31, 1913, Volume 3
Page 523-529: The New York Steam Company
1914 Report
of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State
of New York for the year ending December 31, 1914
Page 548-554: The New York Steam Company
1915 Report
of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State
of New York for the year ending December 31, 1915
Page 624-635: The New York Steam Company
1916 Report
of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State
of New York for the year ending December 31, 1916
Page 551-566: The New York Steam Company
1917 Report
of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State
of New York for the year ending December 31, 1917
Page 517-536: The New York Steam Company
1918 The New York Steam Company operated under a receiver from August 19, 1918 to August 11, 1921.
1918 Report
of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State
of New York for the year ending December 31, 1918
Page 955-971: The New York Steam Company
1919 Report
of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State
of New York for the year ending December 31, 1919
Page 929-944: The New York Steam Company
1920 Report
of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State
of New York for the year ending December 31, 1920
Page 962-978: The New York Steam Company
1921 The New York Steam Corporation was organized on July 15, 1921 and took over the property of the New York Steam Company on August 11, 1921.
1921 First
Annual Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1920, Volume 2. (the first and second
districts were consolidated in 1921)
Page 832: The fiscal year of the New York Steam Company, formerly
ending on April 30th, has been changed to end on June 30th. The abstract
of the report of the New York Steam Company for the period from April 30,
1921, to June 30, 1922, will be contained in the Annual Report of the
Public Service Commission for the year 1922. No report for this company is
contained in this volume.
1922 Second
Annual Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1921, Volume 2.
Pages 873-876: New York Steam Corporation
1923 Third
Annual Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1923, Volume 2.
Pages 881-884: New York Steam Corporation
1924 Fourth
Annual Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1924, Volume 2.
Pages 899-902: New York Steam Corporation
1925 Fifth
Annual Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1925, Volume 2.
Pages 862-865: New York Steam Corporation
1926 Sixth
Annual Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1926, Volume 2.
Pages 832-834: New York Steam Corporation
1927 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1927, Volume 2.
Pages 802-804: New York Steam Corporation
1928 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1928, Volume 2.
Pages 840-841: New York Steam Corporation
1929 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1929, Volume 2.
Pages 825-826: New York Steam Corporation
1929 The Consolidated Gas Company acquired a controlling interest in the steam corporation in 1929
1930 "Business:
Steam to Gas," Time, March 24, 1930
Largest of gas, electric light and power companies is the billion-dollar
Consolidated Gas Co. of New York. Last week it was reported that
Consolidated Gas has control of a 50-million-dollar utility which is
almost unique in service rendered.
The new company to join the gas system is the New York Steam Corp.
1930 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1930, Volume 2.
Pages 824-827: New York Steam Corporation
1931 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1931, Volume 2.
Pages 902-903: New York Steam Corporation
1932 Fifty years of New York steam service; the story of the founding and development of a public utility, by New York Steam Corporation/
1932 Handbook
of the National District Heating Association
Pages 9-12: New York City. The New York Steam Corporation
supplies steam to consumers on Manhattan Island for heat and power. At the
present time the corporation serves two districts-the downtown district
and the uptown district-indicated on the maps.
The downtown district includes the area of large buildings constituting
the financial and business center of lower Manhattan. The uptown district
includes the rapidly developing business center, as well as the adjacent
area of large apartment structures.
The corporation serves a total of 2460 consumers, occupying 1,824,236,000
cu. ft. of building space. To serve these consumers, during the year 1930,
10,189,919,000 lb. of steam were delivered to them from five boiler plants
through 330,402 ft. of pipe, ranging in diameter from 2 in. to 24 in. The
five boiler plants have an aggregate generating capacity of 7,170,000 lb.
of steam per hr.
Consumers are served with steam at pressures ranging from 100 lb. to 150
lb. per sq. in. In the downtown district, a considerable portion of the
steam is used for the generation of power, while in the uptown district
the proportion of power service is much less. The sale of steam for power
increases the summer load, but as existing isolated power plants using
this service are discontinued from time to time, the amount of steam thus
used is decreasing. Summer loads are improved to a small extent by the
sale of steam to construction operations, which, in New York, are in
progress to a great extent continuously.
The tremendous concentration of business, forces the use of high pressure
and large pipes to supply the demand for steam service. The sub-surface
space is so crowded with water, sewer, gas, and electric services that the
generation of district-heating supply in any one location is limited by
the inability to distribute steam from one point in excess of 4,000,000
lb. per hr.
Recent acquisitions to the list of customers are the Empire State Building
and the federal government buildings on Manhattan Island.
Growth of the service has required during each of the past several years
the installation of about three miles of pipe and an increase in station
capacity of 300,000 to 600,000 lb. of steam per hr. A total generating
capacity of 6200 kw. of electricity is installed in the five stations, all
of the current generated being used to supply boiler plant auxiliaries.
Coal is brought to the stations by barges on the East River and is hoisted
directly to the bunkers except for the downtown station, to which the coal
is hauled by trucks.
The greater part of the ashes are sold at the stations for construction
purposes.
The New York Steam Corporation is the largest district-heating
organization in the world and a statement of its earnings, expenses, and
charges for the year ending December 31, 1930, is included to indicate how
large such a heating service may become in a fertile field.
1932 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1932, Volume 2.
Pages 894-895: New York Steam Corporation
1933 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1933, Volume 2.
Pages 852-853: New York Steam Corporation
1934 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1934, Volume 2.
Pages 862-864: New York Steam Corporation
1935 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1935, Volume 2.
Pages 860-862: New York Steam Corporation
1936 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1936, Volume 2.
Pages 868-870: New York Steam Corporation
1937 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1937, Volume 2.
Pages 862-863: New York Steam Corporation
1938 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1938, Volume 2.
Pages 808-810: New York Steam Corporation
1939 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1939, Volume 2.
Pages 928-930: New York Steam Corporation
1940 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1940, Volume 2.
Pages 924-926: New York Steam Corporation
1941 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1941, Volume 2.
Pages 878-880: New York Steam Corporation
1942 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1942, Volume 2.
Pages 878-880: New York Steam Corporation
1943 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1943, Volume 2.
Pages 958-960: New York Steam Corporation
1944 "Wallace C. Andrews: Pioneer in District Heating," Bulletin of the National District Heating Association 29(2):83-84 (January 1944)
1944 "Charles Edward Emery: Pioneer in District Heating," Bulletin of the National District Heating Association 29(4):169 (July 1944)
1944 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1944, Volume 2.
Pages 926-928: New York Steam Corporation
1945 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1945, Volume 2.
Pages 922-924: New York Steam Corporation
1945 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1945, Volume 2.
Pages 922-924: New York Steam Corporation
1946 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1946, Volume 2.
Pages 961-962: New York Steam Corporation
1947 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1947, Volume 2.
Pages 664-666: New York Steam Corporation
1948 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1948, Volume 2.
Pages 662-664: New York Steam Corporation
1949 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1949, Volume 2.
Pages 684-686: New York Steam Corporation
1950 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1950, Volume 2.
Pages 686-688: New York Steam Corporation
1954 Annual
Report of the Public Service Commission for the year ended December
31, 1954
Page 381: Petition of Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.,
for approval of the merger of New York Steam Corporation and for approval
of extension of purposes. Approved March 1, 1954.
1954 The New York Steam Corporation was fully merged into Consolidated Edison on March 8, 1954.
1977 "Con Ed's Steam System An Endangered Species," by Anthony J. Parisi, The New York Times, December 27, 1977, Pages 57, 59.
© 2025-2026 Morris A. Pierce