The University of New Mexico
Collection Summary | ||
| Title | Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light, and Power Company Ledgers, | |
| Dates (Inclusive) | 1882-1911 | |
| Collector | Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light, and Power Company | |
| Collection Number | MSS 534 BC | |
| Size | 3 boxes (1.14 cu. ft.) | |
| Repository | University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research. | |
| Language | English | |
The Albuquerque Gas Electric Light and Power Company ledgers were transferred to the Center for Southwest Research at the University of New Mexico from the Albuquerque Museum some time during the 1980s. The ledgers span twenty eight years and reflect the accounting of Albuquerque's first utility company. In a larger sense they represent the earlier days of trade and commerce as Albuquerque made the transition from a rural community to a city that could support facilities for the Southern Pacific Railroad and the increasing growth in population.
As a resource for research they may contain historical support for a variety of subjects such as early economics, corporate mergers, industry monopolies and the industrial revolution in the Southwest. There full potential has not surfaced but lies in the hands of assiduous and possibly somewhat untraditional researchers who may discover their broader significance.
The collection is comprised of three ledger books dated, 1882-1903, 1901-1908, and 1908-1911. The first known gas manufacturing franchise issued to a private citizen in New Mexico was obtained in 1882 by Mr. A.A. Grant, a local civic leader and businessman. These ledgers begin as the Albuquerque Gas Company was incorporated on May 11, 1882. The company's operations were quite successful during it's early years, in producing not only manufactured gas but also pitch, tar and coke. These transactions and others such as profits and losses, arc lamps, dynamo repairs, horses and carriage equipment are documented within the ledgers. Convoluted monikers such as, Albuquerque Light Company 1883, Electric Light Company 1885, Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light and Power Company 1902, Albuquerque Electric Power Company 1904 and Albuquerque Gas and Electric Company 1917 all refer to the original Albuquerque Gas Company founded by Mr. A.A. Grant in 1882.
It was not until 1902 that the franchise, (Albuquerque Gas Company) and properties were sold to the Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light and Power Company. These ledgers represent The Albuquerque Gas Company as it evolved into the Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light and Power Company when, in 1910, the company's two generator stations were closed and in 1911, the financial control passed to the Federal Light and Traction Company of New York City. The company was restructured and surfaced and part of the Public Service Company of New Mexico in 1946.
The collection is open for research.
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.
Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light, and Power Company Ledgers (MSS 534), Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, University of New Mexico Libraries.
Albuquerque (N.M.)--Economic conditions
Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light, and Power Company
Gas Companies--New Mexico--Albuquerque
| Description | Container | ||||
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Ledger, 1882-1903
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Ledger, 12/1/1902-12/31/1907
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Ledger, 1/1/1908-6/30/1911
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Gard, David M. History of Public Service Company of New Mexico. Public Service Company of New Mexico, Albuquerque Division, 1966.
New Mexico People and Energy. Monopoly Practices: Southern Union. Albuquerque, 1980.
Tussing, Arlon R. and Barlow, Connie C. The Natural Gas Industry: Evolution, Structure, and Economics. 1984.Ballinger: Cambridge, Mass., 1984.
Chesnutt, N. P. Southern Union. Mangan: El Paso, Texas