History
How It All Began...
In 1905, citizens were tired of the high cost of electricity and the poor service being provided from the Comegrys and Lewis Power Company. By 1907, the complaints finally hit City Hall. The mayor at the time, John H. Taylor, appointed a committee of businessmen to visit other municipal utilities in the state to see if such a venture would be advisable for Chillicothe. The committee reported back to the mayor that the power plant would be a success if it were "properly operated as a business proposition by clearheaded business men and kept absolutely free from political interest." A bitter battle then ensued between the privately-held company and City Hall. Numerous legal technicalities had to be overcome before the city could vote for bonds to finance the power plant. However, the city finally won out and $50,000 in bonds were sold to build the power plant, which was constructed by Fuller-Coult of St. Louis, Missouri.
The bonds covered the cost of the original plant and equipment needed to run it (including the power plant building, three boilers, two steam engines, and switches). An additional $10,000 in bonds had to be sold later to complete the distribution system. Finally, in 1911, Chillicothe had its very own power plant and distribution system. The city competed with the privately held company for about four years. On July 3, 1915, Chillicothe purchased the assets from the company, along with their customers. An additional turbine was needed to accommodate the added customers from the sale, so a new 375 kw turbine was purchased for $10,500.
From 1911 until 1938, Chillicothe grew and so did the need for additional electricity. Upgraded generators arrived on the scene during that time as well. In 1920, the board of public works purchased a new boiler, and in 1922, purchased a 625 kw turbine.
Chillicothe Municipal Utilities' steam plant, located on Water Works Road, is no longer producing energy after 92 years in service. According to CMU officials, the steam plant became too expensive to operate for the amount of electricity that it generated. The plant was demolished in 2020.