City of Huntsville history

Huntsville was first named after a London suburb called Twickenham in 1810.

1 at 409 Lincoln St was founded in 1811, making it the oldest Masonic Lodge in Alabama.

The Huntsville Fire Engine Company was incorporated on December 10, 1819.

1823 – Huntsville Waterworks is founded by Hunter Peel.

1836 – Doctor Thomas Fearn purchased Huntsville Waterworks and extended the system lines.

The most striking historic building on Huntsville’s downtown square is the circa-1838 Greek Revival First National Bank building, with its huge Ionic columns, on a bluff overlooking Big Spring Park.

1856 – Huntsville City Council bought $1,000 stock in a gasworks plant owned by Doctor F.H. Newman.

1858 – Doctor Fearn sold Huntsville Waterworks to the City of Huntsville.

The yellow 1860 Huntsville Depot on Church Street is the oldest surviving railroad depot in Alabama.

In 1866, Congress established two cavalry and four infantry regiments made up of Black soldiers.

A unique shopping opportunity is offered at the 1879 Harrison Brothers Hardware Store.

A plaque at 301 Eustis Ave. shows where Jesse James’ brother Frank was tried for robbery in 1884.

1887 – The City of Huntsville began research on the use of an electric lighting system for the community.

Across the corner is circa-1897 Harrison Brothers, the state’s oldest hardware store.

1913 – Huntsville Railway, Light and Power Company bought the electric system and began delivering electricity throughout city streets.

1914 – The first water purification practices were implemented.

1915 – Alabama Power Company purchased the electric system from Huntsville Railway, Light and Power Company.

1924 – The first rural electric power line in Alabama was built down Whitesburg Drive to Lily Flagg.

1940 – The City of Huntsville bought the electric system from Alabama Power and entered into a contract with Tennessee Valley Authority for the purchase of power.

1941 – Construction began on Redstone Arsenal spurring dramatic population growth and increased demand for electricity.

1946 – The local gas company was purchased by Alabama Gas Corporation.

1950 – The City of Huntsville purchased the gas system and contracted with the Alabama-Tennessee National Gas Company to pipe natural gas into Huntsville.

1954 – The first Water Board was appointed.

1955 – Dallas and Lincoln Water Wells were bought by the Water System.

Big Spring was not used as a water source after 1957.

1964 – The first water treatment plant was built, and it drew water from the Tennessee River.

World-famous Space Camp began at the United States Space & Rocket Center, open since 1970.

1974 – TVA began generating electricity using nuclear energy as fuel at the Brown’s Ferry Generating Plant.

8/29/1976 Huntsville Item insert on opening of new City Hall

1985 – In February a devastating ice storm hit the Tennessee Valley causing electric outages for up to six days due to damage from trees falling on power lines.

1987 – Construction began on Interstate 565 requiring Huntsville Utilities to relocate infrastructure for electricity, natural gas and water utilities along the 22 –mile long stretch.

1996 – Construction began for the Chase Service Center which is comprised of three buildings housing the Electric Operations Department, a customer service center and a fleet maintenance garage.

1999 – The EnergyRight Solutions new homes program was introduced by Huntsville Utilities and TVA to encourage energy efficient new home construction.

2009 – The South Parkway Water Treatment Plant expansion project was completed which increased the system treatment capacity by 12 MGD for an approximate total of 100 MGD.

2015 – Construction begins on the new Southeast Water Treatment Plant.