2000 South Central Ave, Marshfield, WI 54449
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In the early 1880s, Marshfield had a population of over 2,000 and the area’s economy centered on the lumber industry. W.H. Upham was the owner of the local lumber company, furniture factory, and veneer works. In 1885, Mr. Upham installed the first generator of electricity in the area to provide illumination for the furniture factory and some street intersections. At 5:10 pm on December 30, 1885, a large audience gathered to watch Mr. Upham pull the switch, and the first light illuminated. It was a breathtaking festive event; a celebration with food, music, and dancing followed to commemorate the occasion. The local paper best captured the significance of this moment with the headline: “And God Said, ‘Let There be light and there was light in Marshfield.’”
In June of 1887, a locomotive spark started a fire blaze at noon in the lumber yard of the Upham Furniture Factory. By that evening, the fire had swept across the entire town of Marshfield leaving 2,000 people homeless. After the fire, the people of Marshfield vowed to rebuild and they did.
In the early 1890s, Mr. Upham asked for and received, a franchise from the city to build and maintain a waterworks system. Mr. Upham wanted to construct a water system that would provide fire protection for his various businesses and serve the city. The waterworks supply was built in a spring area now known as Wildwood Park. The electrical utility relocated from its original home in the Upham mill yard to an entirely new power plant at the park.
By late 1903, the City Aldermen were not satisfied with the utility. Power failures were frequent. The water supply was compared to the color of mud, and the rigors of old-fashioned Wisconsin winters sometimes froze the water mains. The water mains were not always thawed out as quickly as customers felt they should be. To address the concerns, Mr. Upham proposed to the Aldermen that a committee be appointed to consider the feasibility of purchasing the Marshfield Water, Electric, Light, and Power Company. On March 1, 1904, the Common Council approved a decision to buy the privately-owned utility as recommended by the committee.
It began as a privately-owned company and became a public utility that still operates today, serving the greater Marshfield area.
A gift for the first Marshfield baby of 2024
Treats for Marshfield Streets Department
Pens for CEMA workshop
Professional attire clothing drive
Skate night sponsor at Melody Gardens
Fourth grade science circuit project kits donated
Ronald McDonald house donation
Packed United Way N.O.W. lunches with Absolute Chiropractic
Donation to Pickleball Complex at Braem Park
Raffle donation to Empty Bowls Fundraiser
Volunteers for Xtreme Xploration
Donation to Cattails Place
Hannah Center Donation
Nutrition On Weekends Packing
Random Acts of Kindness Gift Certificates Giveaway
United We Can Sculpture
Hosted MAHRA Meeting with Guest Speaker Ted Melby
Hosted MEUW Underground Locating Training
Presentation to MSTC Electrician Students about Line Worker Duties
Snacks for C2 Makerspace Robotics Team Completion
High School Career Expo
8th Grade Reality Store Volunteers
Donation of Tree Sapling for Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library Story Time
Volunteers for Spring Drug Sort Disposal
National Pet Day MACCI Gift Certificate Drawing
Community Volunteer: Erick Boon, Exalted Ruler, Marshfield Elks Lodge #665
Community Volunteer: Nathan Barth, Referee Assignor, MYSA
Community Volunteer: Melissa Barnes, Board President, Marshfield Area United Way
Community Volunteer: Jessica Lewer, Marketing Committee Chair, C2 Makerspace
Community Volunteer: Nicolas Kumm, Board Member, Marshfield Community Foundation & American Legion Post 54 Baseball
Pathway Partners Job Shadow
Senior Bingo Sponsor
Drinking Water Week Story Time
Provided Local Snacks for MEUW Annual Conference
Gifts for High School Graduates at MHS & Columbus
Raffle Basket Donated to MAPS
Donation to Personal Development Center
Volunteers Hanging Veterans Banners
Water Bottles for 6th Grade Track & Field Day
United Way Community Baby Shower Donation
Business Appreciation Brat Fry
Hosted Chop Saw Training for MU Staff, City of Marshfield, and City of Medford
1800+ Freeze pops for Marshfield Elementary Schools End of School Year
2024 Community Stock The Pantry Challenge
Be Kind & Win Swim Pass Giveaway
Snack for Marshfield Police Department
Tote Bags for Memory Lane Farm Foster Camp
Downtown Clean Up Volunteers
Three Youth Apprenticeships
Bulb & Battery Recycling Event
Pool Pass Hunt Giveaway
Freeze Pops for National Give Something Away Day
Snack for Marshfield Fire & Rescue
Donation to Wood County Social Services
Hosted Focus On Energy Award Presentation
Raffle Basket Donation for Marshfield Area United Way Golf Outing
MU Staff Took Vacation to Participate in United Way Golf Outing Fundraiser
Move In The Plaza Sponsor
Hub City Day Fun Zone Sponsor
Hub City Day Car Show & Portable Generator Giveaway
Root Beer Floats for National Root Beer Float Day
Stocking Community Free Little Pantries
Donated over 300 Backpacks for Supplies 4 Success
Volunteer for Supplies 4 Success
Raffle Basket for MIT Softball Tournament
Residential Electric Conservation Contest
Donation for Local Junior Achievement Program
Donation to Wild Wednesday Programming
Popsicles with Munsey & Boda
Swim Pass Scavenger Hunt
Pet Supply Drive
Guided Fishing Trip Auction Item for United Way Fundraiser Donated by Chad Haryck
Spools Donated to Rotary Winter Wonderland for light storage
Painting donated to Chestnut Center Fundraiser
Jeff Nikolai Organized Stratford Alumni Golf Outing
Dean Bohman - Boarding Beef Cattle & Training for youth to Show At The Fair
John Richmond groundwater presentation for retired teachers of Marshfield area
Howl-o-ween Sponsor
Treats for MU Neighboring Businesses
Trick or Treat Event for Marshfield Clinic Youth Patients
Donation to Marshfield and Columbus Leadership Alliance (MCLA) kindness activities
Water Table Clean UP
Monarch/Rain Garden Fall Clean Up
Hurricane Relief Donations
Public Power Story Time
Public Power Coloring Contest
Senior Health Fair
Public Power Photo Booth Contest
Mutual Aid Lakeland FL
Hydrant Helper Program
Toys For Tots Collection Location
Established the Marshfield Utilities Scholarship Fund
Established Scholarship Fund for MU Youth Apprentices
Donation to Columbus Catholic Schools Field House
Sponsor Rotary Wonderland Lights
Volunteers for Fall Drug Sort with Marshfield Police Department