At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour.

While you are sitting in the dark during Earth Hour, consider Ipswich residents of less than a century ago who had never had the experience of instant light at a flick of a switch. Up until 1919 the majority of homes and businesses in Ipswich were still using gaslights. A few electric plants were installed between 1900 and 1914 in a couple of businesses including Pommer’s Ice and Butter Factory, Railway Workshops, Cribb and Foote, the mines and the Commonwealth Hotel.

‘The Ipswich Electric Supply Co Ltd” was formed with the objective to supply power to the City of Ipswich and the Shires of Bundamba, Brassall and Purga. Power poles were erected in 1919 and a headquarters building was built in Brisbane Street. The street lights were changed from gas to electricity but of course this was just in central Ipswich.

Country areas had to continue using meat safes, Coolgardie safes, lamps and carbide lights for quite some time longer. Some isolated areas, such as Pine Mountain and Mt Walker had to wait until the 1950s and 60s to get electricity connected to their homes.

Ice and Butter Factory, North Ipswich – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich