Circa 1900

—Herndon Gas Company —

This is one of three known gas generating buildings in town. Some buildings provided gas for individual homes, while this building provided gas for street lighting as well. Because of the danger involved in the generating process, the buildings were made of concrete and specially designed to minimize the danger of explosion.

The gas generation process was simple. Calcium carbide was added to the hopper and gravity fed into the lower water dank. The carbide dissolved in the water, producing acetylene gas. The pressurized gas was distributed through a piping system to homes on street lights.

The mixing ratio was one pound carbide to one gallon of water. The carbide was recharged about once a month. This replica represents a 35-light generator. It would furnish enough gas for 35 lights, or a two burner stove and about 30 lights.

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