The Wisconsin Hydro Electric Co. gas plant located at 1223 13th Avenue.

For several years prior to 1909, a few homes and businesses in Monroe were served by a gasoline gas plant. 

Early in 1909, the plant was purchased by C.E. Gray and W.G. Maxcy, owners of several utility plants. They franchised and organized the Monroe Light & Fuel Company. During that summer, the above water gas plant was constructed and gas mains were installed. In the fall, everything was in readiness and gas was turned into the mains. With about 800 consumers, the business slowly grew until 1919, when H.M. Place became manager.

Gas became the popular fuel for cooking and soon about 1000 consumers were connected to new mains.

In 1926, the company became a part of the Peoples Light and Power Corp, and those 1000 consumers used about eighteen million cubic feet per year.

Under Wisconsin Hydro Electric Co control, a new and larger machine for making gas was installed and a concrete block addition to the plant was constructed to house the new machine.

A calorimeter (device for measuring heat capacity) for testing the gas was purchased and new services were added until in November, 1930 there were 1126 consumers and about two-thirds of the gas went to residences, one-third for businesses.

The background information was obtained by Green County Historical Society (GCHS) and comes from an article in “The Utility Energizer” a pamphlet published by the Employees of Wisconsin Hydro Electric Company. This company was the precursor to the local Wisconsin Power and Light Company.  Any remembrances of this building would be appreciated and can be shared with Linda Lostetter at 608-558-0175 or lostetter68@gmail.com. 

The Green County Historical Society Museum will be opening for the season on Saturday, June 7 from 1-4 p.m. There will be new display items and vignettes. GCHS is also looking for the donation of a 1960s transistor radio.