A contribution to the history of public lightning and electrification of Gospić

Abstract

The paper presents the chronological development of public lighting and electrification of Gospić in the period from the middle of the second half of the 19th century until the decade after the end of the Second World War when the energy network of Gospić was fitted into the state distribution system. The beginnings of public lighting in Gospić with the technology of kerosene lamps was recorded in the last years of the Croatian Military Frontier, and it remained in such a form for half a century. The context of public lighting in the social life of Gospić was analysed, as well as the complex political situations due to which Gospić lagged behind in other areas, especially in terms of technology. Special attention is given to the period of the 1920s, when electricity finally came to Gospić, and with it modern light. In 1925, the Municipal Lightning Plant Gospić was put into operation, and the fact that the first reconstruction was carried out after only four years shows how much the population needed electricity. As such, the plant was in use until the mid-1950s when Gospić received a new diesel thermal power plant, which operated for a very short time due to expensive electricity production. With the founding of „Elektrolika Gospić“ in 1956, a unique company for the distribution of electricity in the Lika area, and the completion of a five-year project to build a series of transmission lines, Gospić finally in 1961 got a modern and secure source of electricity.