Peninsula Light Co.

Peninsula Light Company grew from discussions in Gig Harbor in 1924 about forming a local electric utility as Tacoma Power built a transmission line through the peninsulas to carry electricity from its Lake Cushman hydroelectric project near Hood Canal. Although local residents knew little about building or maintaining an electric grid, they saw electric service as essential to the town’s growth. The company incorporated on July 16, 1925, and from 1927 to 1964 its first headquarters stood on Harborview Drive across from Borgen’s Corner in a building that had originally been the Eve-Glo dance studio and was leased from Conrad Anderson for $10 per month before being purchased. In August 1964, the company opened a new headquarters at the former Austin Mill site in downtown Gig Harbor with 3,800 square feet of office space and a 5,000-square-foot warehouse; at that time it had 26 employees, eight vehicles, and 4,950 members. Among its longest-serving employees were Oak Lodholm, known as "Mr. Peninsula Light," and his son Gary Lodholm; Oak began as a lineman, became superintendent, and ended nearly 40 years of service as director of operations and engineering. By the early 1980s, the company had tripled to about 16,000 members and had outgrown its headquarters, leading to a four-year process that produced a new building off Goodnough Drive, opened to the public during an open house on May 29, 1987. Throughout its history, Peninsula Light has emphasized service to its members, and by 2015 it served 31,600 electric meters and 3,200 water meters while also supporting community events, post-secondary scholarships, and grants within the Peninsula School District.

Gig Harbor, Washington · United States