Electric lights - First-hand account of lights in a home, 1910.
Anna from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, got electric lights in her home in October, 1910. We know this because she mentioned it in a postcard message to her sister - in between the news of the birth of a friend's baby and the purchase of a new sweater. It is fascinating to have a first-hand account of a family's experience with electric lights. Anna was pleased with the new technology according to her comment - "it makes it so much nicer." Her town of Scottsbluff had been growing rapidly since its founding in 1899. In 1910, the population was around 1,750. New reservoirs for irrigating crops had led to increase in farm production which led to more prosperity. As businesses increased in number, so did the use of bricks, concrete, and electricity. So, it appears that Anna's experience with electric lights went right along with a growing trend. That could explain why her remarks seem rather casual. Judging by how inconvenient it is to lose electric service for a few hours in 2017, I think I would be a lot more excited about getting electric lights installed. But, of course, Anna doesn't know yet how dependent on electric appliances she will become! (She also is a little sad and lonely according to her comments at the top of the card. Maybe electric lights were not what she was looking for.)
Read Anna's message on the postcard image above. The photo of The Crystal Candy Kitchen represents a typical business in Scottsbluff, NE, around 1910. Click on images to enlarge.
( References - The information about Scottsbluff, Nebraska came from a report completed in July, 1995, by the Nebraska State Historical Society. The photo of the employees at The Crystal Candy Kitchen is from FamilyOldPhotos.com.)