American Light and Traction
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Utilities |
| Founded | 1900 |
| Founder | Emerson McMillin |
| Defunct | 1935 |
| Fate | Dissolved due to Public Utility Holding Company Act |
| Headquarters | Birmingham, Alabama , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Gas production, electric lighting, traction (streetcar) operations |
American Light and Traction was established in 1900 by Emerson McMillin with the goal of uniting numerous small-scale, local utility power providers. By the following year, it had acquired control over more than 40 facilities involved in gas production, electric lighting, and traction (streetcar) operations.
History
- 1900 - Emerson McMillin founded the company and served as its president
- 1935 - The Public Utility Holding Company Act mandated the dissolution of the company due to antitrust laws targeting integrated utility firms
- 1938 - Establishment of Michigan Consolidated Gas (MichCon)
- 1949 - American Natural Gas Company was created through the merger of MichCon, Milwaukee Gas Company, Michigan-Wisconsin Gas Company, Austin Field Pipeline Company, and Milwaukee Solvay Company
- 1981 - MichCon became a fully owned subsidiary under Primark
- 1988 - MichCon was separated as an independent entity
- 2001 - MichCon merged with DTE Energy