Background
By the early 1890s, electric lighting companies were expanding rapidly across Illinois. The Dundee Electric Light Company, led by President Ed. Hawley, approached the East Dundee village board to secure an exclusive franchise to light the streets.
The village board took up the matter in a meeting in early April 1892. The proposal sparked discussion, with at least one trustee, E.C. Standley, addressing the board regarding the franchise's terms. The exact debate is not recorded, but it was significant enough that the board initially voted to "lay over until Monday April 11, 1892 for consideration" — yeas 6, nays 0.
The Franchise Vote (April 11, 1892)
On April 11, 1892, the board voted to grant the exclusive electric lighting franchise to the Dundee Electric Light Company. The motion passed yeas 6, nays 0.
The Lighting Ordinance (June 28, 1892)
A formal ordinance governing the lighting of East Dundee was passed on June 28, 1892, establishing the legal framework for the franchise arrangement.
Acceptance Letter (July 19, 1892)
On July 19, 1892, the Dundee Electric Light Company sent a formal letter of acceptance to Village Clerk E.C. Luther:
"The Dundee Electric Light Co. hereby accept the franchise granted said Dundee Electric Light Co. on April 11th, 1892, also ordinance for lighting said East Dundee passed June 28th, 1892. Respectfully yours, Dundee Electric Light Co., Ed. Hawley, President."
The letter is recorded in the village minute book as part of the August 1892 meeting proceedings.
Expansion of Service
Following acceptance, the board moved quickly to expand coverage. At the same meeting, Henry Rover moved that the board procure 3 additional electric lights beyond the original arrangement. The motion carried yeas 6, nays 0.
Significance
The Dundee Electric Light franchise is one of the most consequential votes in the village's early history. Before this, East Dundee's street lighting budget line in its annual appropriations had been approximately $200 per year — the specific technology (gas, oil lamp) is not specified in earlier minutes. The 1892 franchise represents the transition to electric illumination and the village's connection to modern utility infrastructure.
The Dundee Electric Light Company appears in the 1888 alphabetical index book alongside the village's other named accounts, suggesting an ongoing financial relationship tracked in a separate volume.