In the south end of Berrien County it wasn’t until 1923 that Ray City got electric lights and running water, although some residents installed their own carbide electric systems before that.
Here’s an old newspaper clipping about the power and water plants built in Nashville, GA in 1907. The contractor for the construction of the plant was W.P. Tittle. Tittle later owned a Maxwell car dealership in Nashville.
Nashville Herald article on town’s first power and water.
Nashville Herald
February 16, 1956Electric and Water Plants Built in 1907
Nashville citizens reached the decision in 1907 that something should be done about improving the water supply and furnishing electric lights for the town.
After employing engineers to draft plans for a combined water and light plant a contract was let to W. P. Tittle, who built the plant and installed the water mains and electric distributing system.
After much grief in attempting to operate the light plant a deal was finally completed in 1928 when the Southeast Georgia Power Co., purchased the electric light plant for $50,000. The Southeast Georgia Power Co., in turn sold the plant to the Georgia Power Co., who operate the electric distribution for Nashville today.
The water plant, which the city retained, has been improved from time to time and additions made until today it is one of the most complete in the state. The water department of the City of Nashville is today serving 1,065 customers through the water meters, quite an increase from the less that 100 customers who began using city water when the plant was first installed.
Additional Notes:
Southeast Georgia Power Co., located at Douglas, GA, served several communities in south Georgia with electricity…
The Georgia Power Company on January 28, 1930, purchased from the Southeast Georgia Power Company the complete electric distribution systems in the towns of Alma, Nichols, Nashville, Willacoochee and Broxton, together with the respective franchises under which these distribution systems were operated. It also acquired certain transmission lines in Baker, Coffee, Atkinson and Berrien counties, between Alma and Douglas, Douglas and Broxton, Broxton and Ambrose, Douglas and Willacoochee, and Willacoochee and Nashville.
Related Posts:
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- Mayor Lyman F. Giddens Brings Electric Plant to Ray City ~ 1922
- Electric Lights and Running Water for Ray City, GA
- Everything is Illuminated in Ray City, GA
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