Yakima Celebrates Municipal Power
A grand parade and massive public demonstration mark the city's transition to a publicly-owned utility.
The story, cleaned up
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Yakima witnessed the greatest gathering of citizens in its history recently in a public demonstration celebrating the opening of the newly acquired city light plant. A parade, in which bands and Mardi Gras features predominated, marched through the business streets, gay with colored lights and crowded with thousands of visitors. More than two thousand automobiles were parked along the line of march. The demonstration lasted until midnight. Governor Louis F. Hart was the guest of honor. After the parade he gave a brief address, in which he complimented the city for its progressive spirit.
“A parade, in which bands and Mardi Gras features predominated, marched through the business streets, gay with colored lights.”
The transition to municipal power in 1920s Yakima reflects a major era of civic ownership in Washington, where towns sought to break free from private utility monopolies. Today, the debate over public versus private control of power grids remains a vital part of the regional discourse on climate and infrastructure.
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