In the 19th century, the Tappmeyers and their neighbors depended on kerosene lamps, which were dangerous, required weekly cleaning, and at their strongest emitted 25 watts of light. They craved brighter, safer, cleaner light. Whether they knew it or not, they wanted electricity.

Electricity promised light for homes and barns, and Creve Coeur got it early. Electric wires began marching down Olive in 1904, connecting businesses and houses, including the Tappmeyer Homestead, then snaking north and south to connect the surrounding areas. By the end of WWI, when only 10% of the farms nationwide had electricity, 90% of our area was connected.

With strong light at their command, families could read, play games, or sew long after dark, and farmers could milk early in the morning without the danger of kerosene lanterns. Soon businesses installed fans and homeowners followed suit. Next came luxuries like electric washing machines, irons, cook stoves, dishwashers, even coffee percolators and toasters. For entertainment, people bought electric radios and phonographs.

Farmers installed electric water pumps and bought electric saws to cut wood quickly and grinders to sharpen tools. In the hennery, they used automatic timers to give hens more light in the winter so they would continue laying, and they raised chicks under electric brooders. Dairies, like Benbush and Krupka in Creve Coeur, invested in electric milking machines, chilling machines to keep the milk safe, bottle washing and filling machines, and cream separators.

We take for granted a utility which was magic to our ancestors.