STREETCAR/ELECTRIC HOLDING COMPANIES

NORTH AMERICAN CO.

In 1890, the North American Company was formed as a holding company, controlled by Henry Villard. Villard's goal was to create an electric utility empire in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Street Railway Co. was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary, and by 1894 completed acquisition of all streetcar companies. In 1896, the Milwaukee Street Railway Co. was reorganized as The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company, remaining as a subsidiary of the North American Co. The North American Co. formed a subsidiary North American Edison Co. in 1922, controlling The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company and successor companies until 1947.

North American Company was liquidated in 1954.

NORTH AMERICAN EDISON CO.

Incorporated 1922.

Wisconsin Electric Power Co.
Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, interurban lines
Acquired 1896 by North American Co.
Became separate new company 1947/Transit operations sold 1952

Wisconsin-Michigan Power Co.
Appleton
Acquired 1923 by North American Co.
Transit operations sold 1941

Union Electric Light & Power Co.
Keokuk IA
Acquired 1925 by North American Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1928

NORTH AMERICAN LIGHT & POWER CO.

Incorporated 1915, acquired 1934 by North American Co.

Illinois Power & Light Co.
Bloomington, Cairo, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Galesburg, Jacksonville, La Salle, Peoria, Quincy, interurban lines
Acquired 1923 by North American Light & Power Co.
Transit operations sold 1946

Kewanee Public Service Co.
Kewanee
Acquired 1926 by North American Light & Power Co.
Transit operations sold 1936

Southern Illinois Light & Power Co.
Hillsboro
Acquired 1919 by North American Light & Power Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1926

Atchison Railway Light & Power Co.
Atchison KS
Acquired 1910 by North American Light & Power Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1935

Kansas Power & Light Co.
Emporia, Topeka, Wichita
Acquired 1923 by North American Light & Power Co.
Became separate new company 1949/Transit operations sold 1974

United Power & Light Co.
Manhattan KS
Acquired 1926 by North American Light & Power Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1934

Missouri Power & Light Co.
Jefferson City
Acquired 1923 by North American Light & Power Co.
Transit operations sold 1938

ADDITIONAL COMPANIES

United Railways Co. of St. Louis
St. Louis MO
Acquired 1905 by North American Co.
Transit operations sold 1922

East St. Louis & Suburban Co.
East St. Louis IL, suburban/interurban lines
Acquired 1922 by North American Co.
Transit operations sold 1935

Capital Transit Co.
Washington DC
Acquired 1928 by North American Co.
Transit operations sold 1947

The most significant remaining utility companies are Wisconsin Energy Corp. (formerly Wisconsin Electric Co.), and Ameren Corp. (controlling former Illinois Power & Light Co.).

Go to Chicago Transit & Railfan Web Site