Laclede Gas Company facts for kids
Laclede Gas Company is a large company in Missouri that delivers natural gas to many homes, businesses, and factories. It serves about 632,000 customers in the city of St. Louis and ten counties in eastern Missouri. Besides delivering gas, the company also stores natural gas underground and has facilities for storing and using propane.
Laclede Gas is a company that provides a public service, meaning it's regulated to make sure it serves people fairly. It is now a part of Spire Inc., which was formerly known as Laclede Group. The main office for Laclede Gas is located in downtown St. Louis.
The Story of Laclede Gas
Laclede Gas started a long time ago, on March 2, 1857. It was first called the Laclede Gas Light Company. At that time, one of the most exciting new uses for natural gas was lighting up streets and homes. Before gas lights, people used candles or lamps that burned things like whale oil or kerosene. Gas lighting was a big step forward, happening even before electric lighting, or gas stoves and heaters became common.
The company was named after Pierre Laclède, who founded the city of St. Louis. Over the years, Laclede Gas Light Company saw many changes. In the early 1900s, a large company called North American Company owned many public services, including Laclede Gas.
Later, in 1909, North American Company decided to sell Laclede Gas. A group of business leaders from St. Louis, including G. H. Walker and Adolphus Busch, bought the company. They paid $7 million for a large part of the company's shares. This change helped Laclede Gas continue to grow and serve the people of Missouri.
More to Explore
- Erastus Wells, an early leader of the company
- Spire Inc — the company Laclede Gas is part of today
Find Out More
- The official Laclede Gas Company website: http://www.lacledegas.com/
