Consumer Gas Trust Company records

Consumers' Gas Trust Company records
V435
1887-1907
1 vol.
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Processed by: Elizabeth M. Wilkinson, January 2007

Organizational Note:

In the mid-1880s large natural gas fields were discovered in Central Indiana. On May 23, 1887 the city of Indianapolis passed an ordinance fixing the maximum natural gas rates. In October of 1887, Alfred M. Potts and John B. Conner proposed the creation of a consumer oriented private trust to furnish natural gas at cost. Control of the company would reside with a self-perpetuating board of trustees who would appoint the company’s directors. The Consumers’ Gas Trust Company of Indianapolis was incorporated on October 29, 1887 as a public charitable trust and Judge Robert N. Lamb was its first president. In May of 1888 the company opened its new mains for business.

Natural gas was quickly depleted in Central Indiana by the early 1900s. In 1906 a second trust, Citizens Gas Company, was incorporated and assumed control of the Consumers’ Gas Trust Company. Citizens Gas ran into trouble in 1921 over rate increases and surrendered its charter. In 1935 ownership of the company was transferred to the city and it became Citizens Gas & Coke Utility which is still in business today.

Source:

“Citizens Gas & Coke Utility.” Historic Business Register, Indiana Historical Society. Rosengarten, H. Richard. “Citizens Gas and Coke Utility.” Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis: IU Press, 1994.

Scope and Content Note:

This collection consists of one bound volume with information beginning on November 15, 1887 and ending on March 13, 1907. Within the volume are the articles of incorporation, by-laws, minutes, and operating expenditures of the Consumers’ Gas Trust Company.

Item Listing:

1887-1907 Volume
   

Collection Information:

Size of Collection:
1 volume
 
Collection Dates:
1887-1907
 
Provenance:
Unknown
 
Access: This collection is open for research.

Restrictions:

None
 
Reproduction Rights:
Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library.  Possession of a reproduction from an Indiana State Library collection does not constitute permission for use.
 
Language Materials are entirely in English
Alternate Formats:
None
 
Related Holdings:
 
 
Notes:

Photocopying Policy:

Manuscript materials CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.