Let’s go way back to 1905 when street lighting was a big issue for Delta residents.
An article in the March 4, 1905 edition of theTimes, the predecessor to the Optimist, noted “the question of street lighting is a matter of great interest to all residents and businessmen of this district.”
The article stated that when the newspaper had advocated for the lighting of streets, it had no idea that the BC Electric Co. would offer current for sale as soon as 1905.
It turned out municipal council had already ordered gasoline lamps and “did so in good faith, thinking it would be the next best thing to electricity.”
The article also noted, “Our present council with the electric current so near does not feel justified in installing the gasoline lamps so recently purchased. In the meantime we have to plod along in the dark.”
The article suggested municipal council invite BC Electric to come and install as soon as possible so that electric streetlights could be operating in Delta by October of that year.
“We have not the least doubt of the company’s ability to carry out such a provision if they are approached in a businesslike manner.”
As for the disposal of the gasoline lamps, the article suggested council should have no problem finding a taker as “the lamps are good, and the fact they are not being installed here should in no way discredit them.”
