San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation facts for kids

The old San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation Building in Fresno, California. This was their main office!

The San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation was a company that brought electricity to homes and businesses. It served seven counties in California's San Joaquin Valley. This company later became part of a much bigger power company called Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). PG&E bought San Joaquin Light and Power in the 1920s and 1930s.

How San Joaquin Power Started

The company began on April 1, 1895. It was first called the San Joaquin Electric Company. An engineer named James Samuel Eastwood helped start it. Their first project was building San Joaquin Powerhouse No. 1. This powerhouse made electricity using the power of water. It was located about 37 miles from Fresno. The powerhouse used water from Willow Creek, which flows into the San Joaquin River.

The company changed its name a few times. In 1905, it became the San Joaquin Power Company. Then, in 1910, it became the San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation. By 1920, the company had built 11 powerhouses!

Early Challenges and Solutions

San Joaquin Electric Company faced a big problem early on. Another company, Fresno Gas and Electric Company, tried to stop them. The owner of Fresno Gas and Electric, Fulton G. Berry, claimed rights to the water upstream. He dug a ditch to move water away from San Joaquin Electric's powerhouse.

This water problem, along with several dry years, caused San Joaquin Electric to go bankrupt in 1899. Even though they were bankrupt, the company kept working. People who had invested money in the company wanted to protect their investment. So, they paid to build the Crane Valley Dam in 1901. This dam created Bass Lake, which gave the powerhouse a steady supply of water.

New Owners and Growth

In 1902, a wealthy businessman named William G. Kerckhoff bought San Joaquin Electric Company. He was also the president of another power company. He renamed it the San Joaquin Power Company. Under Kerckhoff's leadership, San Joaquin Power Company bought its rival, Fresno Gas and Electric Company, in 1903. They paid $25,000 for it.

Also in 1903, San Joaquin Power made an agreement with the California Gas and Electric Company. This agreement set clear areas for each company to provide electricity. This helped avoid future arguments over customers.

Becoming Part of PG&E

In 1924, the San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation was bought by the Great Western Power Company. This company was part of a larger group called The North American Company.

Then, in 1930, The North American Company sold its power companies, including San Joaquin Light and Power, to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. This deal was worth $114 million in PG&E stock. This big purchase created one large power company that served most of Northern and Central California.

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  The old San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation Building in Fresno, California. This was their main office!