<P> After Thomas Edison pioneered electric use , light bulbs were developed for the streetlights as well . The first city to use electric street lights was Wabash , Indiana . Charles F. Brush of Cleveland , Ohio wanted to publicly test his new invention the `` Brush Light '' and needed a city to do so . The City Council of Wabash agreed to testing the lights and on March 31 , 1880 , Wabash became the `` First Electrically Lighted City in the World '' as a flood of light engulfed the town from four Brush Lights mounted atop the courthouse . One of the original Brush Lights is on display at the Wabash County Courthouse . By the beginning of the 20th century , the number of fire - based streetlights was dwindling as developers were searching for safer and more effective ways to illuminate their streets . Fluorescent and incandescent lights became popular during the 1930s and 1940s , when automobile travel began to flourish . A street with lights was referred to as a white way during the early 20th century . Part of New York City 's Broadway was nicknamed the Great White Way due to the massive number of electric lights used on theater marquees lining the street . </P>
<P> After Thomas Edison pioneered electric use , light bulbs were developed for the streetlights as well . The first city to use electric street lights was Wabash , Indiana . Charles F. Brush of Cleveland , Ohio wanted to publicly test his new invention the `` Brush Light '' and needed a city to do so . The City Council of Wabash agreed to testing the lights and on March 31 , 1880 , Wabash became the `` First Electrically Lighted City in the World '' as a flood of light engulfed the town from four Brush Lights mounted atop the courthouse . One of the original Brush Lights is on display at the Wabash County Courthouse . By the beginning of the 20th century , the number of fire - based streetlights was dwindling as developers were searching for safer and more effective ways to illuminate their streets . Fluorescent and incandescent lights became popular during the 1930s and 1940s , when automobile travel began to flourish . A street with lights was referred to as a white way during the early 20th century . Part of New York City 's Broadway was nicknamed the Great White Way due to the massive number of electric lights used on theater marquees lining the street . </P>
first city in the us to have electricity
first city in the us to have electricity
Wabash , Indiana
Wabash , Indiana