History of District Heating in the United States

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District Heating in Williamsport, Pennsylvania


The Williamsport Steam Company was incorporated on July 15, 1884 and built a system that began operating on November 1, 1884.

The system was shut down on September 28, 1917 due to the high price of coal..


References
1892 History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Page 370:  The Williamsport Steam Company, started for the purpose of warming buildings, offices, and private residences, was organized in 1884 with a capital stock of $150,000, the bulk of which was taken by citizens of Williamsport. The cost of the plant was $112,000, at least $60, 000 of which was for labor. They put up a building in which were placed six boilers of 125 horsepower each, and mains over five miles in length were laid underground in the principal streets. On the 1st of November, 1884, the company commenced furnishing steam, and the first year they heated 2,784,000 cubic feet of space. It has since run up to about 10,000,000 cubic feet. About 9,000 tons of bituminous coal, at a cost of $15,000, are consumed annually, and the works are in operation seven months in the year. Buildings a mile distant from the boilers are easily warmed. The officers for 1892 are: President, E. R. Payne; I secretary, James A. Pugh; directors: H. W. Watson, B. C. Bowman, J. R. T. Ryan, Henry W. White; managers, P. B. Shaw and Godfrey Hess. About seven miles of main pipes have been laid. The water used in making steam costs $975 a year.

1917 "The Williamsport Steam Company," Williamsport Sun-Gazette, April 27, 1917, Page 1.
Have not yet received quotations on their fuel for next season.

1917 "To Discontinue Serving Heat," The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 19, 1917,  Page 4.

1917 "Quit Heating Account High Price of Coal," The Allentown Leader, September 22, 1917, Page 7.


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