In 1877 the company installed the first electric light power station on the Coast. The old California Theater and Auction House, once so famous, was nightly illuminated with “Jarblokoff” candles. During the year 1878 the company obtained from Mr. Thos. A. Edison the first generator for incandescent lights seen in the West, this machine being one of the historical bi-polars with a capacity of about 160 lights. It was installed in the H. S. Crocker building on Bush Street, as an exhibit, and attracted a great deal of attention. The sockets for the lamps were very cumbersome and had no keys and there was only one switch on the line, this being placed on the frame of the generator. Shortly afterwards, this machine was installed as a permanent exhibit in the old Mechanics’ Pavilion on Larkin Street, and as a result the California Electrical Works installed quite a number of them during the next two years.
In 1886 the business was moved to 35 Market Street, where better accommodations and increased floor space were obtained. In 1890 they again moved to 409 Market Street, where, owing to the increased volume of the business, they occupied three floors. On December 16, 1901, the Western Electric Company acquired the controlling interest in the company and located at 547 Mission Street, where three floors and a basement were occupied for offices and stock. They remained in these quarters until the completion of their present building at 642 Folsom Street, where they moved in January, 1906, three months before the catastrophe which visited San Francisco.
Farewell to the California Electrical Works. Welcome to the Western Electric Company.
BROOKS-FOLLIS AT HOME.
The accompanying illustrations show the new home of the Brooks-Follis Electric Corporation, 44-46 Second Street, San Francisco, Cal. Mr. Frank Fowden, President of the company, has clearly demonstrated what can be accomplished through perseverance, will and optimism in San Francisco’s future.
EXTERIOR.
At the time of the fire in 1906, this firm was located on Mission Street. The business was apparently demolished, but April 24th found the Brooks-Follis Electric Corporation bobbing up serenely at 563 Thirteenth Street, Oakland, where shipments were made as rapidly as material could be obtained.