ELECTRICITY

In the 1920's the Rockwater Brothers developed an electric power plant on the Credit River in Savage. When the flow of water in the river was no longer strong enough to run the turbine, the line was taken over by a company in Jordan.

The hook-up and wiring charges cost several hundred dollars, and most families could not afford it. Some paid for installation by having a few dollars a month deducted from their "cream checks".

Jim Connelly tells of a meeting at his home in the late 20's, at which a power company salesman was trying to get some farmers to "sign up". He said the cost after hook-up was $5 per month. Jim's brother, Pat, said $5 would but a lot of kerosene. Jim's hired man, who was listening in, said "Yes, but you get damn little light."

REA brought low cost electric power into Burnsville on May 11, 1935, and almost every home then had electricity. Today, the giant NSP Black Dog plant and Dakota County Electric Association supply our community's increasing demands for electric power.
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