Speegle's Column. He gives a history of lighting in Arcata. First, in Arcata, Kerosene lanterns and coal oil lanterns provided light up until 1889-90 when manufactured gas was distributed thru pipes and mains. In 1894 a shingle mill was started on the Devlin property in west Arcata. This mill had surplus fuel and gave Arcata what it needed. On April 23, lights on prominent corners and the once dark city was now a blaze of modern lights and the people were happy. In 1908 PGE bought the electric light plant from the shingle mill. The shingle mill was owned by the Hum. Manufacturing Co. In 1895 the Hum. Manufacturing Co. and Westinghouse Electric Co. signed a contract whereby Westinghouse would furnish dynamos and engines with enough wire to install lights in many of houses. George Harpst, president of the town barrel, said that after permission was granted to install poles to carry the wires that the move was the most important milestone of progress for the city.